No. This measure only applies to elections. The Town and the Village already share many services, such as Water, Sewer, EMS, Tax Assessor, Office of Emergency Management, Conservation Advisory Council, Climate Smart Communities Task Force, and more. Holding elections in November will save Cornwall-on-Hudson money and save the Village Clerk time. Other Village governments and clerks that have November elections say they prefer it.

Village insiders may prefer lower turnout elections because it’s easier to hand-pick candidates and influence outcomes when elections are held during times when elections are less publicized and when many voters are not expecting to vote.

Quite likely. Which is more powerful: 400 people voting for the Village’s future, or 1,000 people voting for the Village’s future? The more people who vote for a stake in the Village, the more advocates Cornwall-on-Hudson has against anyone that would erode its overall independence or autonomy. This is why it’s time to give the Village a voice. 

The Cornwall-on-Hudson Village Board recently voted to extend Trustee terms to four years instead of two, making these votes even more important for the Village’s future. In addition, three of the four current Trustees first gained their seats through appointments, chosen by one person. March elections are often uncontested and turnout is extremely low compared to November elections. These factors combine to make “now” the time. November elections will increase turnout, helping ensure that results are truly the will of the most voters.

What do you think of when you think “Election Day”? It’s not March. Each year, political parties, campaigns, and the media publicize November elections—town, county, state, and national—with massive advertising and round-the-clock coverage. By contrast, busy citizens are not always tuned in to smaller opportunities to make their voices heard, and Village elections in March suffer for it. 

No. Turnout increases across all political persuasions during November elections. Candidates and political parties with good ideas and good campaigns shouldn’t be worried about scrutiny from more voters.

No. Candidates in November Village elections can still opt to run on independent lines, as they do in the Village of Chester, for example. 

The Orange County Board of Elections. These are professional commissioners and staff representing both major parties (by law), whose sole job is to ensure safe, legal, fair, compliant elections. Their oversight will replace that of the Village Clerk; elections take a huge effort for a Village and place a great reliance on one person who has many other duties.

Yes. The annual budget for Village elections is several thousand dollars, plus person-hours. 

Yes. Because they are have more resources, November elections run by the Board of Elections afford more opportunities to early vote in person or by mail, and make it easier to cast absentee ballots. And… No more yard signs in March!