In this week's episode I talk about the end of the petition season. over 155 petitions and 160 candidates have filed to run in the primary and general elections. I talk about the process and what is next in the petition process. Enjoy.

On this week's episode I talk about the release of the 2026 General Election polling place. I detail why we release them so early and what goes into choosing a polling place. I also detail the very few changes we have from last year and why changes have to be made from time to time. Enjoy.

Today I talk about the village elections happening on Wednesday March 18, 2026. Three villages, Manlius, Marcellus, and Minoa are holding their village elections this year. Why on a Wednesday? Why in March? Why do they have different polling hours? Why do villages get to choose their election days and how can it be changed? The answer to those questions and more in this week's episode. Enjoy.

This week's episodes focuses on the Save America ACT and what a disaster it would be for NY Elections. I go through it along with the MEGA proposals and possible executive orders as well as address the suspect constitutionality of it all. Enjoy,

This week's episode I talk about the upcoming start of the Designating petition period on Tuesday. I go over how we use designating petitions to get on the ballot, how they create primaries, and what goes into determining minimum signatures. Enjoy.

In this week's episode I explain the difference between State Conventions and County Designations. The state has direct ballot access while county designees still have to get petitions. This is the first step in determining the ballot each year so I take some time to go over it. Enjoy.

Each year as Democratic Caucus Chair I travel to Albany to give oral testimony on the Governor's proposed executive budget. NYSECA is asking for $35 million for aid to locality funding to support county Board of Elections.

Find the full 10 hour day of testimony here:

https://www.nysenate.gov/calendar/public-hearings/february-11-2026/joint-legislative-public-hearing-2026-executive-budget

Find my written testimony here:

https://dustinczarny.com/2026/02/15/my-testimony-to-the-nys-legislature-local-government-budget-hearing-2-11-26/

On this week's episode I talk about the February 14th party change deadline in New York. it falls on Valentine's Day every year and that is why I call it "Fall in Love with Your Party Day", I dive into why this 4.5 month sequester is actually much better than the past and what it means for petitions and primaries.