Ulster People for Justice & Democracy

Getting on the Ballot: Caucus or Petition

Party nomination of candidates for elective office is made at either a party caucus or in a primary election. In Ulster County, petitioning is used for all state and county-wide offices, legislative seats, and some town offices. If more than one candidate from the same party submits enough valid petition signatures, there will also be a primary election. The City of Kingston and the Towns of Woodstock and New Paltz have switched to petition, but in other towns the caucus is still used.

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Getting on the Ballot in New York State - Part I: Background

This post is an excerpt from our forthcoming The Ulster County Electoral Field Guide, developed by Ulster People Vice Chair Penny Coleman. We have done our best to ensure its accuracy as of March 2019.

Series Navigation

Getting on the Ballot in NY State Part 1: Background
Getting on the Ballot in NY State Part 2: Caucus or Petition?

New York’s Election Laws (Background)

Election laws and procedures are different everywhere you go in the U.S. and at every level of federal, state and local government. The way things are done in Ulster County might be similar to the way things are done in Columbia or Green, but don’t count on it. It’s always best to make sure you understand what the specific local rules are for the office you are seeking. Check with the BOE and never assume that what was true for last year’s election will be true for the next.

Some background on New York State Election Politics:

If you think voting restrictions are only a southern shame, think again. New Yorkers have endured some of the most restrictive voting rights laws, and consequently one of the worst records on voter turnout, in the country. In 2016, we ranked 41st in voter turnout. That was an improvement over 2014, when we ranked 49th, with only 27% of eligible voters making it to the polls.

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