Commissioner in a Car

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.

This week I talk about the troubling and alarming developments on the FBI raid on Fulton County Georgia Election offices along with some positive updates blocking unilateral Executive order to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission and spurious DOJ subpoenas on Voter Registration rolls. Enjoy.

In this week's episode I talk about the 5 vacancies that have happened in Onondaga County since the November Election. Vacancies in the City of Syracuse Common Council At-Large, Town boards on Marcellus and Pompey, Town Justice in Salina and the removal of a Commissioner of Education in Syracuse create a weird set of circumstances. I also end with thoughts on the horrible situation in Minnesota and why we face a moment of truth.

In this week's episode I try to honor Martin Luther King Jr. and reflect on his role as a voting rights champion. I collected a few of my favorite quotes of his and talk about his work in Selma and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. I think his story of peaceful non violent but confrontational protest is something we can look to today in this tumultuous time. Enjoy.

This week I focus on the winter conference of the NYS Elections Commissioner Association. Held this last week it is one of our main training opportunities for Lead Election Officials in NY or as we call them, County Election Commissioners. And a special shout out to the Buffalo Bills and Josh Allen for their win this week. Enjoy.

This week I preview village elections. Why some villages have elections in March, June or November and why sometimes the Onondaga County Board of Elections doesn't run these elections. Check it out along with the answer to last week's trivia question! Enjoy.

This week's episode I look ahead to the expected races in the 2026 General Election for Onondaga County. I detail how the even year bill will move county legislature and some town races next year. I also highlight some races that I think are pretty important to watch. Also this week's trivia question: What is the average age of the Onondaga County voter. Answer coming next week or in my next #weeklywonk. Enjoy.