We hope the guide below helps you stay informed about the people who want to represent you in local government. Along with the interviews, our guide includes information on voter registration and polling locations.
Explore the links below to access candidate Q&As along with analysis from our CNY Decides project — a collaboration with WAER Syracuse Public Media designed to demystify the political process and bring you the stories and information you’ll remember in the voting booth.
Editor’s Note: Central Current has contacted all local candidates and their party leaders as part of our initiative to include Q&As for all local races. We are still awaiting responses from some candidates and will update this guide as those responses are received.
CNY Decides: Election Analysis
Buller won’t ‘Block the Bombs.’ Will Mannion?
Rep. John Mannion has earned praise and frustration from local Jewish groups for his voting record on Israel, putting a spotlight on his stance on proposed legislation to limit military aid to Israel.
County Sheriff candidates Shelley and Lenhart claim they each have more relevant “experience” to run the department. How do they plan to do it?
Candidates for Onondaga County Sheriff discussed moving the county jail operations to a joint campus in Jamesville, progressive discipline, opioids, and immigration in interviews with Central Current
Democrats in CNY and labor unions disagree on how to regulate data centers. Why?
Unions and Democrats have long had a tight relationship. However, in Central New York, they are split on how to regulate data centers.
With two months to go until midterm elections, affordability could define the race for New York’s 22nd Congressional district
As Americans reel from rising costs of living, NY-22 candidates offer disparate plans to increase affordability.
Candidate Q&As
Incumbents’ names are italicized. Candidates are listed alphabetically by last name.
U.S. House of Representatives, 22nd Congressional District
- With two months to go until midterm elections, affordability could define the race for New York’s 22nd Congressional district
- Buller won’t ‘Block the Bombs.’ Will Mannion?
- Is Central New York becoming a blue bunker for Congressional Democrats?
- Rep. John Mannion declines Central Current debate, appearing to avoid only debate with live audience
New York State Assembly
- 126th District: John Lemondes (R) vs. Ian Phillips (D)
- 129th District: Maurice “Mo” Brown (D) vs. Shawn Fiato (R)
New York State Senate
- 48th District: Rachel May (D) vs. Richard McCarron Jr. (R)
- 50th District: James Corl III (R) vs. Chris Ryan (D)
Onondaga County Legislature
- 1st District: Brian May (R) vs. Justin Neal (D)
- 2nd District: Matt Jones (D) vs. Kevin Meaker (R)
- 3rd District: Tim Burtis (R) vs. Graeme Spicer (D)
- 4th District: Leslie English (R) vs. Jeremiah Thompson (D)
- 5th District: Ellen Block (D) vs. Daniel Ciciarelli (R)
- 6th District: Chad Clark (R) vs. Gregg Eriksen (D)
- 7th District: Dan Bailey (R) vs. Dan Romeo (D)
- 8th District: W. Brandon Camperlino (R) vs. Chad Ryan (D)
- 9th District: Rebecca Varga (R) vs. Nicole Watts (D)
- 10th District: Elaine Denton (D) vs. Ed Theobald (R)
- 11th District: Jessica Hackett (D) vs. Geneanne Keegan-Smith (R)
- 12th District: Dave Knapp (R) vs. Neil Smith (D)
- 13th District: Ken Bush Jr. (R) vs. Blake Carter (D)
- 14th District: Jessica Dapson (D) vs. Cody Kelly (R)
- 15th District: Jo Bennett (D) vs. Woody Carroll (R)
- 16th District: Nyatwa Bullock (D) vs. Charlene Tarver (WF)
- 17th District: Nodesia Hernandez (D) vs. Laura Lavine (R)
Onondaga County Sheriff
You can read more about this race by clicking here.
- RJ Lenhart (R) vs. Toby Shelley (D)
Video: Jail Relocation, ICE and Public Safety: Inside the Onondaga Sheriff’s Race
Onondaga County Propositions
An explanation of how these different term limit options would work can be found by clicking here.
- Proposition 1: Establishing a term limit of three (3) consecutive four-year terms for the office of County Executive and the office of County Comptroller.
- Proposition 2: Establishing a term limit of four (4) consecutive four-year terms for the office of County Executive and the office of County Comptroller.
Video: How Term Limits Became an Onondaga County Ballot Battle
Syracuse Common Council
- Councilor-at-Large (To Fill Vacancy): Raymond J. Dague (R) vs. Helen Hudson (D)
Dates, deadlines, and resources for the Nov. 3rd election
- Registration deadline: To be eligible to vote in the 2026 general election, your registration application must be submitted to the board of elections no later than October 24th, 2026.
- Early voting: Saturday, October 24th through Tuesday, November 1st, 2026.
- Election Day: Tuesday, November 3rd, 2026.
- You can check your registration status, polling location, access a sample ballot, and check your mail-in ballot status by visiting the New York State Board of Elections voter lookup page.
Read more of Central Current’s coverage
2026 General Election Q&A: Onondaga County Legislature 14th District candidate Jessica Dapson
Democrat Jessica Dapson is running to represent the legislature’s 14th District. She faces Cody Kelly in the race for the seat.
2026 General Election Q&A: Onondaga County Legislature 2nd District candidate Matt Jones
Democrat Matt Jones is running to represent the legislature’s 2nd District. He faces Kevin Meaker in the race for the seat.
2026 General Election Q&A: Onondaga County Legislature 15th District candidate Jo Bennett
Democrat Jo Bennett is running to represent the legislature’s 14th District. They face Woodruff Carroll in the race for the seat.
2026 General Election Q&A: Onondaga County Legislature 17th District candidate Laura Lavine
Republican Laura Lavine is running to represent the legislature’s 17th District. She faces Majority Leader Nodesia Hernandez in the race for the seat.
2026 General Election Q&A: Onondaga County Legislature 12th District candidate Neil Smith
Democrat Neil Smith is running to represent the legislature’s 12th District. He faces David Knapp in the race for the seat.
