New!

UPDATE: Adequate Service of Specifications of Objections on Candidates by Objector

As of on or about April 1, 2025,  the USPS product known as “USPS PRIORITY EXPRESS NEXT DAY” no longer exists. It has been replaced by “Priority Mail Express 1-3 Day.”  “Priority Mail Express 1-3 Day,” will not in all instances qualify as “overnight mail.”

Election Law 6-154 (3) (b)  provides that specifications of objections must be served on the relevant candidate(s) before filing same with the board of elections.  This service on the candidate(s) must occur either by: (i) personal delivery or (ii)  by sending  via “overnight mail” (or its Election Law 1-106 “overnight” equivalents).

“Priority Mail Express 1-3 Day” only meets the “overnight mail” requirement for service on the relevant candidate(s) when the estimated day of delivery stated by the USPS is the next day after the date of mailing.

Please note that FedEx “Overnight” and United Parcel Service (UPS) “Next Day” products that provide for next day delivery, remain sufficient.

Provided the anticipated date of delivery of the specifications of objections is the next day, the objector meets their obligation to “mail[] by overnight mail a duplicate copy of the specification
”

The NYSBOE Guidance related to Specifications of Objections dated 4.17.2023 is superseded to the extent it is inconsistent with this Guidance, and a conforming version of the prior comprehensive guidance document will be issued.

New!

Petition Objection & Specification Guidance

Click Here

New!

Attention to Notary Publics

regarding collecting signatures

Recent changes to the Department of State Regulations pertaining to Notary Record Keeping do apply to notaries collecting petition signatures.  Please read advisory from NYS Board of Elections.

PRIMARY & GENERAL ELECTION

POLITICAL CALENDARS

CLICK HERE

IMPORTANT:

NEW REQUIREMENT FOR PETITION RELATED FILINGS BY MAIL OR OVERNIGHT DELIVERY SERVICE

Please CLICK HERE for detailed information.

Library District Election Information

Please CLICK HERE for detailed information.

New faces are essential for creating the dynamic political atmosphere that leads to successful and efficient government.  While running for office can be a long and arduous process, the rewards, both public and private, for a job well done are countless. Thus we urge all those with the desire and fortitude to stand in the political fire to do so, and remind the population that citizen participation is essential for our government, a government “of the people [and] by the people,” to succeed.  Those interested in taking up the challenge of running for any of our offices to be elected will find the necessary information below.

The procedure for running for office clearly varies greatly depending on the position desired; people do not become U.S. Senators the exact same way they become Village Trustees. Because there is no simple step-by-step process which can be followed across the board, prospective candidates need to be scrupulous to ensure they maintain the legality of their candidacy. The basic instructions needed to properly run for office, as well as example forms, can be obtained from the New York State Board of Elections HERE.

Clearly one of the most important facets of successfully running for office is getting your name on the ballot. While the technicalities of the petition process vary depending on whether you are affiliated with a party or running as an independent, you will need to obtain a certain number of petition signatures (depending on enrollment numbers and the position coveted) to be on the ballot. Candidates who would like to run for an office with a district extending beyond the borders of Putnam County should check with the New York State Board of Elections for enrollment numbers and signature requirements.

  • Designating Petition Signature Requirements: CLICK HERE.

  • County Committee Designating Petition Signature Requirements: CLICK HERE.

  • Independent Nominating Petition Signature Requirements: CLICK HERE .

  • To obtain sample petition forms: CLICK HERE.

  • Objection to Petition Form: CLICK HERE.

  • Name Change on Ballot Form: CLICK HERE.

While the above resources provide an outline for campaigning, the most reliable and in-depth resource is the New York State Election Law. This is the authoritative source on all election related issues in New York State and should be consulted in times of doubt and confusion.

The following articles are particularly relevant for prospective candidates:

Article 6 “Designation and Nomination of Candidates”

Article 14 “Campaign Receipts and Expenditures”

Article 15 “Village Elections”

Article 17 “Violations of the Elective Franchise”

If you have any questions regarding interpretation of the law, please contact our Election Commissioners for clarification.

The process of running for office is filled with deadlines that candidates must be aware of, whether they are for submitting petitions, campaign finance forms, or any number of other documents. It is important that candidates heed these deadlines; please contact the Board of Elections for this information.

Candidates must also be vigilant in the record-keeping of their campaigns’ finance. New York State has strict restrictions regarding a candidate’s finances and the disclosure of these finances. Please see the New York State Board of Elections Campaign Finance website for a more detailed explanation of the subject.