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Let The Debates Begin: Saratoga Springs Elections

With election day just around the corner, campaign season is in full swing, and candidates are busy working on their platforms.

On Tuesday, Oct. 12 and Thursday, Oct. 21, Saratoga TODAY will be hosting live debates at the Saratoga Springs City Center. The debates will feature candidates vying for all five Saratoga Springs City Council seats as well as the two chairs representing the city at the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors. 

As of the Sept. 15 deadline both Republicans and Independents had responded that they would be in attendance. Discussions on Covid protocols delayed a commitment from the Democrats. However, on Tuesday September 28, all Democrats agreed to attend the debates. Attendance will be limited to invited guests only. Both debates be available in real-time on Facebook Live.

Readers can send in questions for possible inclusion to: cbeatty@saratogapublishing.com

SARATOGA TODAY’S DEBATE SCHEDULE:

Tuesday, October 12

Public Works: 6:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Accounts: 6:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Supervisor: 7:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, October 21

Finance: 6:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Public Safety: 6:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Mayor: 7:00 – 7:30 p.m.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Election Day is Nov. 2. There are 17 candidates on the ballot running for five City Council seats, and six candidates seeking either of the two supervisor seats to represent Saratoga Springs at the County Board of Supervisors. 

Under the city’s Commission form of Governing, each of the five council officeholders carry equal weight when it comes to city matters – that is, each of the five votes counts as one. 

In the upcoming council election, four of the five seats will be filled with new members to that seat.  Only DPW Commissioner Anthony “Skip” Scirocco is seeking re-election for the seat he currently holds. Current Public Safety Commissioner Robin Dalton, and former Public Safety Commissioner Ron Kim, are each seeking election as mayor. 

Two seats are up for vote as City Supervisor. Incumbents Tara Gaston and Matthew Veitch are seeking re-election. Four additional candidates are also vying for the two seats which are voted on individually.   

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Saratoga Springs list of candidates:

Mayor: Robin Dalton (SST); Ronald Kim (D, RS), Maxwell Rosenbaum (WF); Heidi Owen West (R,C).

Commissioner of Public Safety:  David Labate (WF); Tracey Labelle (R,C); James Montagnino (D, RS).

Commissioner of Public Works: Donald Reeder (WF); Anthony “Skip” Scirocco (R, C); Domenique Yermolayev (D, FN). 

Commissioner of Accounts: Samantha Guerra (R,C,WF); Dillon Moran (D, RS), Angela Rella (AC).

Commissioner of Finance: Sierra Hunt (WF); Adam Israel (SST); Joanne Kiernan (R,C); Minita Sanghvi (D, RS). 

Supervisor (two seats): Bruce Altimar (WF); Tara Gaston (D); Gabriel O’Brien (WF); John Safford (R,C); Matthew Veitch (R,C); Shaun Wiggins (RS). 

Parties: D (Democratic); R (Republican); C (Conservative); WF (Working Families); FN (Functional); SST (Saratoga Stronger Together); RS (Resilient Saratoga); AC (Accountability); 

Ballot Proposals:     

In addition to the five council seats and two supervisor seats, city voters may cast a Yes or No vote on five statewide ballot proposals. The five are: 

1. Amending the Apportionment and Redistricting Process; 

2. Right to Clean Air, Clean Water, and a Healthful Environment; 

3. Eliminating Ten-Day-Advance Voter Registration Requirement; 

4. Authorizing No-Excuse Absentee Ballot Voting; 

5. Increasing the Jurisdiction of the New York City Civil Court. 

 

Ballot Proposal 1: Amending the Apportionment and Redistricting Process

This proposed constitutional amendment would:

• Freeze the number of state senators at 63

• Amend the process for the counting of the state’s population

• Delete certain provisions that violate the United States Constitution, repeal and amend certain requirements for the appointment of the co-executive directors of the redistricting commission and amend the manner of drawing district lines for congressional and state legislative offices. 

The purpose of the proposal is to amend and repeal portions of the state constitutional amendment adopted by voters in 2014 that relate to the way district lines for congressional and state legislative offices are determined.