How To Winter Proof Your Home
Active Registered Voter Saratoga County Enrollment, Presidential Elections 2008-2024
*Note: the balance of registered voters, which accounts for 10,000 to 15,000 in any given year, is comprised of voters registered with third or independent parties.
* Voters registered by county figures for 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020 are November in that election year. Figures for 2024 are voters registered as of February, 2024 – the most recent information available from the NYS Board of Elections.
Voter Registration Up 16.6% in Saratoga County Since 2016: Dems, “Blank” See Biggest Growth
BALLSTON SPA — There are just over 177,000 registered active voters in Saratoga County according to the most recent state Board of Election statistics, up from 169,000 registered voters during the 2020 election, and just under 152,000 in 2016.
That 16.6% increase of overall county registered voters during the past eight years – up more than 25,000 in actual numbers – has also led to a fluctuation in party affiliation.
Voters registering with the Democratic Party, and those registering to vote with NO Party affiliation, or “blanks,” have seen the largest growth.
Saratoga County voters registered with the Democratic Party has grown by 29.4% – up nearly 12,000 since 2016, whereas members registered with the Republican Party has increased by 3.5% – an increase of just over 2,100 voters in that same time.
Voter registration with the Conservative Party has grown by about 785, and the Working Families Party by about 125. Voters registered with “other” parties has decreased by nearly 1,700, while “blanks” – that is registered voters with No Party affiliation – has increased by more than 12,000 voters, a growth of more than 30%.
In the 2016 Presidential Election, Donald Trump/ Mike Pence received 54,575 votes from Saratoga County voters, compared to 50,913 received by Hillary Clinton/ Tim Kaine.
In 2020, the Joe Biden/ Kamala Harris ticket received 68,471 (51.62%) county votes, against 61,305 (46.21%) votes by the incumbent Donald Trump/ Mike Pence (R,C) campaign.
For the past several years running, the presidential candidate receiving the most votes in Saratoga County has also secured the White House.
County Registered Voters and Party Affiliation, according to the NYS Board of Elections 2024
Saratoga County Active Registered Voters
Democrat – 52,331
Republican – 62,874
Blank / No Party – 50,217
Other – 8,019
Conservative – 3,208
Working Families – 575
Total – 177,214
Council Seat Filled: Hank Kuczynski Appointed on Interim Basis, But May Complete Full DPW Term
Hank Kuczynski at City Hall on Oct. 29, 2024, just after being sworn-in as Commissioner of Public Works.
Photo by Thomas Dimopoulos.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —And now they are five.
The four currently serving members of the Saratoga Springs City Council unanimously approved the appointment of Hank Kuczynski as interim Commissioner of Public Works, during a pre-scheduled Finance Department budget workshop attended by about one dozen people at City Hall Oct. 29.
The position – which is both departmental and legislative – has been vacant for two-and-a-half months, and Kuczynski will “stay on as long as he needs to,” Mayor John Safford said.
That service period may be as brief as 13 weeks – which would include six regular meetings of the council, which is now in its budget season – or somewhat longer.
Earlier this month the council approved a resolution to request a “special” election be held Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 to elect a Commissioner of Public Works/City Council member to complete the term through Dec. 31, 2025, identical to the term of the other four currently held City Council seats.
County Board of Elections approval of that Jan. 28 date, however, has yet to move forward with Saratoga County Republican Election Commissioner Joseph Suhrada saying he had “three points of concern” related to the matter – legal, practical and financial. That first concern seems to have been satisfied this week.
“The Attorney General sent back a letter a couple of days ago which says: seems like it is (legal),” Suhrada said on Oct. 30, “so that removes that issue.” He said his other concerns were utilizing the new incoming voting machines with “a steep learning curve” and the city of Saratoga Springs paying the costs associated with the January election, which he estimated at $40,000 to $50,000.
Saratoga Springs Accounts Commissioner and City Assessor Dillon Moran countered that given the tax revenue the city of Saratoga Springs forwards the county, the finances ought be the county’s responsibility, and that the long-standing voting machines currently in use could be used for the special election.
At its monthly meeting on Sept. 17, the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors approved the purchase of 241 new voting machines and associated equipment from Clear Ballot Group, Inc. at a total cost of $1.76 million to replace the voting machines currently in use. The county board resolution states the new machines will be in operation for six years and cites a purchase agreement commencing Sept. 18, 2024, but does not appear to signal an implementation date associated with their use, only that “the County Board of Elections need to replace the fleet of voting machines currently in use.” Suhrada noted that this week’s election is utilizing the long-standing equipment, and that the new machines have yet to arrive.
Attorney Sarah Burger, founding member of the multi-practice law firm Burger Law Group, and former Saratoga Springs city attorney, is anticipated to be the Democratic Party candidate for DPW Commissioner.
Chuck Marshall, who works as director of real estate at Stewart’s Shops and as chairman of the Saratoga Springs Planning Board, is anticipated to be the Republican Party candidate for DPW Commissioner.
UPDATED NOV. 6: A measure to approve the Special Election Calendar was pulled, and indications are that Hank Kuczynski – originally appointed on an interim basis – may be seated for the duration of the term through 2025.
Hank Kuczynski Approved as Interim Commissioner of Public Works
Kuczynski, whose wife and grandchildren were present for his appointment as interim DPW Commissioner/ City Council member Oct. 29, had previously served as city deputy mayor. In late 2001, then-Saratoga Springs Mayor Ken Klotz appointed Kuczynski as the first deputy mayor in the city’s history.
The Commissioner of Public Works is departmentally responsible for oversight of Saratoga Springs’ street and highway maintenance, its buildings and grounds, and for ensuring that the water system provides sufficient quantities of safe potable water, among other duties.
The position also plays a role in the legislative body of city government by placing the commissioner at the City Council table. The Council proposes and enacts legislation and establishes policy for the city. The mayor and four commissioners form the five-member City Council, and having five members is key in potentially acting as a tiebreaking vote in any deadlocked city-related decisions at the table where majority rules. Prior DPW Commissioner Jason Golub announced his pending resignation in mid-July with a departure date in mid-August.
Saratoga County Early Voting Sites Seeing More Than 4,000 Voters Per Day
SARATOGA COUNTY — Early voting got underway Saturday, Oct. 26 at five locations in Saratoga County, and will continue for a total of nine days, through and including Sunday, Nov. 3.
The first five days of Early Voting (Oct. 26 through Oct. 30, inclusively) saw a total of 22,954 county voters.
The voter breakdown per registered party, according to the Saratoga County Board of Elections:
Democratic Party — 8,541.
Republican Party — 7,998.
NOP (No Party) — 5,005.
All other parties comb. — 1,410.
All voters may vote at any poll site, and hours – which have been extended – are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
The five Early Voting sites are – Board of Elections: 50 W. High St, Ballston Spa; Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library: 475 Moe Rd, Clifton Park; Gavin Park: 10 Lewis Rd, Saratoga Springs; Greenfield Firehouse No. 1: 13 S. Greenfield Rd, Greenfield Center; Malta Community Center: 1 Bayberry Dr, Malta; Saratoga Springs Rec Center: 15 Vanderbilt Ave, Saratoga Springs.
Voter Intimidation: What It Is, What To Do About It
Voter intimidation is a crime and civil offense under New York election law.
SARATOGA COUNTY —Both federal and state laws protect New Yorkers against voter intimidation. Voter intimidation is a crime and civil offense under New York election law.
It can involve the threat of – or use of – force, violence, obstruction, or interference.
Voter intimidation can also involve the use of deceptive or fraudulent communication that impedes, prevents, or otherwise interferes with the free exercise of voting by a registered voter.
Voter intimidation can take many forms including individuals or groups patrolling outside of polling places and trying to scare people out of the voting line, or civilians dressing as law enforcement officers and harassing voters at poll sites.
Additionally, poll watchers may not solicit votes, stand in the vicinity of privacy booths, capture images of voters within the polling place, or distribute, wear, or carry political literature, posters, banners, or buttons.
Any actual intimidation or attempts to intimidate should be reported immediately to the Office of the New York State Attorney General’s Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-390-2992, or submitted online using the Office of the New York State Attorney General’s online Election Complaint Form, at: https://electionhotline.ag.ny.gov/.
Saratoga County Caregivers Conference in Saratoga Springs – Registration Open to Nov. 7
SARATOGA SPRINGS —Registration is open for its free Caregivers Conference presented by Saratoga County’s Department of Aging and Youth Services.
The Conference will take place 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at the Holiday Inn Saratoga – 232 Broadway, Saratoga Springs. Those interested can register online at www.saratogacountyny.gov/DAYS or call the Department at 518-884-4100 by Nov. 7.
The conference, entitled “A Guide to Caregiving,” brings together caregivers, healthcare professionals, and experts from various fields to share knowledge, resources, and experiences to empower, educate, and support caregivers.
To learn more about the Caregivers Conference, contact the Saratoga County Department of Aging and Youth Services at 518-884-4100 or visit the department’s webpage on the Saratoga County website at www.saratogacountyny.gov/DAYS.
19th Annual Restaurant Week Starts Nov. 4
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Discover Saratoga’s Annual Restaurant Week is back for its 19th year, running from Monday, Nov. 4 to Sunday, Nov. 10.
The dining experience features specially priced three-course dinners for $25 or $35 plus tax and tip at participating Saratoga County restaurants. Each meal includes an appetizer, entrée, and dessert. Some restaurants are also offering lunch specials for $15 plus tax and tip
For more information, visit https://www.discoversaratoga.org/events/restaurant-week/
SSPF Presents: “The Underground Railroad Revisited” Nov. 6
The Underground Railroad Revisited, presented in a program this week.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —“The Underground Railroad Revisited: A New Interpretation of an Old Story” an in-person program at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 6, will be presented at the Frederick Allen Lodge, 69 Beekman St. The program is presented by the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation, in partnership with the Underground Railroad Education Center.
Paul and Mary Liz Stewart, independent researchers, and Scholars-in-Residence at Russell Sage College, will bring their seminal research on the Underground Railroad movement to the public. The Underground Railroad, often remembered as being characterized by tunnels, dark of night escapes, coded language, and hidey-holes, was far more extensive and complex than these ideas have led us to believe.
In the midst of significant pro-slavery sentiment, New York State was home to many abolitionists working to abolish the institution of slavery in the state and nation and it was visited by many who had escaped enslavement and sought a life of freedom.
Tickets are $10 for SSPF members and $15 for non-members and should be purchased in advance. For additional information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.saratogapreservation.org, call 518-587-5030, or email Sydney Hedge, Preservation and Programs Coordinator, at shedge@saratogapreservation.org
November is National Adoption Awareness Month
November is National Adoption Awareness Month! Did you know about 1 in 3 Americans are connected to adoption? Join modern adoption conversations with Francine Apy and SoulFilling. Follow along for daily insights, inspiring stories, and fresh perspectives that spark adoption conversations at home, work, school, and in our communities. Whether adoption touches you personally or you’re a teacher, coach, social worker, or counselor, SoulFilling welcomes you to join a new adoption conversation! For local events, visit www.SoulFillingAdoption.com