Deadline Nears to Register To Vote for NY Elections

This Friday is the deadline to register to be able to vote in next month’s elections for all state offices in New York. Applications must be postmarked no later than Oct. 12 and received by a Board of Elections no later than Oct. 17 for people to be eligible to vote.

On the ballot on Nov. 7 in New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, faces Republican Marc Molinaro, the Dutchess County executive. Cuomo holds a prohibitive advantage over his opponent both in polling — he leads by about 35 percentage points in all polls — and in money. The latest financial disclosures filed last week show Molinaro with only $210,000 on hand, compared to Cuomo’s $9.2 million.

Cuomo spent the bulk of his funds, about $25 million, on his primary against a leftist opponent.

The biggest battle in the state is for control of the Senate. Republicans currently control it by a tight 31 to 30 margin, with the help of Simcha Felder. But at least one Republican seat in Orange County, now held by the retiring William Larkin, is seen as going to the Democrats. Republicans hope to offset that by beating Democratic incumbent John Brooks on Long Island.

Also on the ballot is a race to replace Eric Schneiderman, who resigned as state attorney general. Barbara Underwood, who is temporarily the state’s top law enforcement official, is not running for a full term.

Democrat Letitia James, the New York City Public Advocate, is running against Keith Wofford. James is vowing to go after President Donald Trump if she wins while Wofford wants to tackle inefficiencies in government. A Siena poll released recently shows James ahead by 14 points.

Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, a Democrat, faces Republican Jonathan Trichter.

All assemblymen are on the ballot, though many do not face primary challengers. In Boro Park and Midwood, Simcha Eichenstein does not face a challenger in his bid to replace Dov Hikind, who is retiring after 34 years in the Assembly.

In New Jersey, the deadline to register is next Tuesday. Leading the ballot there is the reelection of Sen. Robert Menendez, a Democrat. He faces Robert Hugin, a Republican and a former pharmaceutical executive.