Zoom with Czarny

This week's episode I talk about the upcoming start of the Designating petition period on Tuesday. I go over how we use designating petitions to get on the ballot, how they create primaries, and what goes into determining minimum signatures. Enjoy.

In this week's episode I explain the difference between State Conventions and County Designations. The state has direct ballot access while county designees still have to get petitions. This is the first step in determining the ballot each year so I take some time to go over it. Enjoy.

Each year as Democratic Caucus Chair I travel to Albany to give oral testimony on the Governor's proposed executive budget. NYSECA is asking for $35 million for aid to locality funding to support county Board of Elections.Find the full 10 hour day of testimony here:https://www.nysenate.gov/calendar/public-hearings/february-11-2026/joint-legislative-public-hearing-2026-executive-budgetFind my written testimony here:https://dustinczarny.com/2026/02/15/my-testimony-to-the-nys-legislature-local-government-budget-hearing-2-11-26/

On this week's episode I talk about the February 14th party change deadline in New York. it falls on Valentine's Day every year and that is why I call it "Fall in Love with Your Party Day", I dive into why this 4.5 month sequester is actually much better than the past and what it means for petitions and primaries.

This week I talk about the troubling and alarming developments on the FBI raid on Fulton County Georgia Election offices along with some positive updates blocking unilateral Executive order to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission and spurious DOJ subpoenas on Voter Registration rolls. Enjoy.

In this week's episode I talk about the 5 vacancies that have happened in Onondaga County since the November Election. Vacancies in the City of Syracuse Common Council At-Large, Town boards on Marcellus and Pompey, Town Justice in Salina and the removal of a Commissioner of Education in Syracuse create a weird set of circumstances. I also end with thoughts on the horrible situation in Minnesota and why we face a moment of truth.

In this week's episode I try to honor Martin Luther King Jr. and reflect on his role as a voting rights champion. I collected a few of my favorite quotes of his and talk about his work in Selma and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. I think his story of peaceful non violent but confrontational protest is something we can look to today in this tumultuous time. Enjoy.

This week I focus on the winter conference of the NYS Elections Commissioner Association. Held this last week it is one of our main training opportunities for Lead Election Officials in NY or as we call them, County Election Commissioners. And a special shout out to the Buffalo Bills and Josh Allen for their win this week. Enjoy.

This week I preview village elections. Why some villages have elections in March, June or November and why sometimes the Onondaga County Board of Elections doesn't run these elections. Check it out along with the answer to last week's trivia question! Enjoy.

This week's episode I look ahead to the expected races in the 2026 General Election for Onondaga County. I detail how the even year bill will move county legislature and some town races next year. I also highlight some races that I think are pretty important to watch. Also this week's trivia question: What is the average age of the Onondaga County voter. Answer coming next week or in my next #weeklywonk. Enjoy.

This week I go over mtop stories for 2025. These stoies focus on stories imortant to myself and ones I think the voters of Onondaga County care about. They are:1.) Mayor-Elect Sharon Owens victories.2.) Onondaga County Legislature Democrats take over of the Onondaga County Legislature 3.) The Blue wave washing giving Onondaga County Democratic Committee victories4.) The despeartion of local GOP tactics5.) The bounce back of the Onondaga County Board of Elections.Enjoy and let me know what you think the top stories are.

In this week's episode I talk about how we record write-ins at the Onondaga County Board of Elections. I talk about why some write ins are invalid and some of the limitations of NY Election Law. I recap a bit about my travel to the Cybersecurity summit as well as my last #weeklywonk and activity at the BOE. Enjoy.

I was a panelist at the Cyber Security Summit hosted by the Brennan Center and Common Cause NY and the Center for Long term Cybersecurity at the NYC Bar Association on December 11, 2025. My panel focused on specific ways County Board of Elections are looking to protect our elections as well as the challenges we face. Enjoy.See the whole summit here: https://www.youtube.com/live/CUKfxKxCuGs

In this week's episode I detail what goes into a manual recount, the results of this week's close contests, and why I think this law is a good thing, but how we can improve it. As always I detail about what is going on at the Onondaga County Board of elections as well.

In this week's Commissioner in a Car I talk about what method Onondaga County voters chose to cast their vote this last November. I also detail what the Onondaga County Board of Elections did last week to certify the election. i also talk about how we have to break certification for the hand counts and to finish write ins this next week. Enjoy.

In this week's episode I talk about how we finished canvassing write ins and affidavits at the Onondaga County Board of Elections. I also talk about what voter history tells us about 2025. Finally I talk about what is to come next week and beyond to finally wrap up the 2025 election.

In this week's episode I talk about how the Onondaga County Board of Elections finished our vote by Mail and Affidavit counting this week. I touch on why we are still counting 10 days after election Day. I also talk about what's next including write in canvassing and manual recounts. Enjoy.

While the narrative is all about the anti-trump wave, the reality is candidates are the ones who put us here. This is why Democrats did so well in Onondaga County this last Tuesday. I recap the night ad tell you whats ahead next week.

Polls are open 6am to 9pm Tuesday November 4, 2025 for the 2025 General Election. I talk about how to find out where to vote, what to do if you still have a vote by mail ballot (mail it in!), court orders, and when results will come out. Call 315 435 VOTE if you have any questions or visit onvote.net for more information.

In today's Commissioner in a Car I talk about the stats of #EarlyVoting in Onondaga County over the first 6 days. Who is turning out? Which site are they going to? I also give you all the details to participate over the next few days. Get more info at onvote.net

Saturday marks the Golden Day for the 2025 General Electio Season. First Day to #earlyVote, Last day to #registertovote, and last day to request a #votebymail ballot and have it delivered to you before #Electionday. You can request #votebyamail ballots and register to vote at onvote.net by midnight October 25, 2025. You can also find your #earlyvoting and #eectionday sites there. Check it out and enjoy!

This week I change locations and come to you from my home office so i can show you hot to vote by mail. I go over the differences between Early Vote by Mail and Absentee voting as well as how to apply both by mail and online at onvote.net. 20 days left till election day so check it out!

It has been a couple weeks because I have been traveling. I update you on all my adventures with the alphabet traveling to fort Lauderdale and Washington DC for three different events. And I talk about all the ballots that have been sent out you UOCAVA, vote by mail, and sample ballots. Enjoy

Today is National Voter Registration Day! This week I leave the car and come to you from my office. I show you how to register to check your registration and how to register to vote at onvote.net. Enjoy.

55 days until election day 2025! This week's episode I talk about the Even Year Election Law having its last day in court at the NYS Appeals Court. I briefly explain how we got here, why it is the last stop, and what some of the arguments are. I even give an example from our own county on how transformative this law will be. Enjoy.

In this week's episode I talk about how we are finally in the general Election season, and overview how we got here. I also list some important dates coming up for General Election 2025, recap the NYSECA Summer Conference, and touch on touch on Trump's threat of an EO on Voter ID as well as guidance issued today making it harder for ew citizens to register to vote. Enjoy.

In this week's episode I once again have to talk about national politics since President trump made an egregious threat to mail voting throughout the country. I talk about why i believe any pending EO is DOA, as well combat some of the lies spread by the President regarding mail voting. Enjoy.

In this week's episode I tackle the redistricting wars that are brewing in the United states. How New York will become a part of them. I also address the blatant hypocrisy of Elise Stefanik & the NY GOP both in their silence over what is happening in Texas and past actions here in NY. Enjoy.

I am back after a brief hiatus as the summer doldrums have settled in. I talk about the EAC regional meeting, last week of caucus certifications, and yes, of course, the village of Liverpool. I also look ahead to August and the final layers of the General Election come into view. Enjoy.

This week I talk about where the primary stands. Two races going to hand count including a flip from Election Night due to vote by mail ballots. I also talk about my disappointment in the passage of the wealth transfer to the rich we saw passed in congress. And why I still have hope in America despite dark times.

Here is everything you need to know for the June primary. Polls open 6am to 9pm. Vote by Mail ballots must be postmarked 6/24/25. Go to onvote.net to find your polling place, check your registration, and get results (starting at 9pm). Enjoy the day and be nice to your poll workers.See less

I do a quick recap of where Early voting stands. Then I talk about the N. Syracuse Village election and the unique issues we are trying to overcome. Check it out.

This week I preview the Early Voting period for the June primary that starts this Saturday. Find out who, where, and when you can vote early for this primary. To get all your EV and voting information visit Onondaga County Board of Elections at onvote.net.

The Town of Lysander is holding a special election on June 9th from noon to 9pm asking the question whether their Town Highway Superintendent should be elected or not. I go over why special elections are called and who runs them in this episode. Enjoy.

This week I talk about the close of independent nominating petitions on Tuesday May 27, 2025. 22 petitions and 36 candidates filed for spots on the general Election ballot. Tune in to find out who filed, why, and what the process is going forward.

This week I talk about all the stuff going on at the Onondaga County Board of Elections. School District elections on Tuesday. Vote BY mail ballots for the June 24th primary hitting the doors. Mail checks to every voter going out last week. Check it out and Enjoy.

This week I talk about the 5-0 bi partisan unanimous ruling by the 4th department on the Even Year Election Legislation (EYEL). The EYEL will transform NY elections and I talk about the final steps in the litigation as well how things will transform between now and 2030. I also touch on Van Robinson, a Syracuse legend that had is life celebration today. Enjoy.

This week I talk about the announcement of Early Voting sites for both the Primary and General elections. We also released the Primary day polling sites. I over view where the primaries are and what races. I also talk a bit about the Even Year Election Bill hearing today. Enjoy.

This week I talk about the next and final phase of the ballot access period, court hearings. I give a quick update on where the court hearings stand, what is to come, and touch on the federal court injunction of the President's Executive Order. Enjoy.

This week I talk about all the hearings At the Onondaga County Board of Elections both in our office and at court. I outline the process, decision already made, and decisions yet to be made. I also talk about how some of these have already made their way to court now and in the future. Enjoy.

This week i talk about the objection process at the Onondaga County Board of Elections. We have had over 140 petitions filed and now we are starting to get some objections in. I talk about the process going forward and why this will take all month! Enjoy.

I was honored to speak at the Hands Off Rally in Syracuse on April 5, 2024. Over 2k people came down to hear a variety of speakers stand up to federal over reach and our fellow citizens.

This week I talk about designating petitions. the cutoff was 5pm Thursday to file for office. Nearly 150 petitions and 500 candidates have chosen to participate in this year's election. More to come this summer. Enjoy.

A great deal of things happened this last week that I want to talk about. Wrapping up of the march village elections. I also talk about the court of appeals decisions on NYC Non citizen voting and remanding of the even year legislation back down to the appellant division. Check it out.

The Onondaga County Board of Elections has released their polling places for the 2025 General election. I talk about why we had to release it this early and what process feeds from this release. I also talk about the very few changes from last year and go into the decision making. Finally I address how these changes work with pre-clearance in the John R Lewis NY Voting Rights Act that Onondaga County falls under. Enjoy.

This week I preview the March Village elections in Skaneateles and Manlius that the Onondaga County Board of Elections runs as well as the Jordan and Fabius elections run by their village clerks. I go over why some villages have their elections in March, some in June, and now most in Onondaga County have them in November. Enjoy.

This episode I speak about the say that. A piece of legislation working its way through Congress that could have drastic effects on voting rights but however may not pass. I've been getting a lot of calls on this so I decided to do a podcast about it to lay it all out there. Thank you to issue one and the Brennan center for Justice for some briefings they have done on this that help me prepare some of the statistics I shared in this podcast. Enjoy.

This week I talk about county party designations and the start of designating petition period on February 25, 2025. I explain why County parties do designations and what they mean for ballot access in New York. I also explain the petition process which 90% of all candidates will need to get on the ballot this fall. Enjoy.

This week's Commissioner in a Car I talk about the annual enrollment collections in New York. This enrollment pull is very important as it determines the number of signatures someone needs for running for office. I also explain the events that changed our enrollments from last November to today. Enjoy.

This week I come to you from San Diego as I am attending the Partnership for Large Election Jurisdictions conference. More on that next week as today I want to talk to you about the party change deadline on Friday February 14th. Yes its Valentine's Day but its also Fall in love with Your Party Day. I talk about how to change your party and you can go to onvote.net to do it today!

I participated in a panel in the Joint Legislative Hearing on 2025 Exec. Budget Proposal: Local Government. I along with my good government colleagues from Brennan Center, NYS League of Women Voters, Fair Elections NY, and Common Cause NY argued for direct NY funding of county boards of elections as well as funding the NYS Board of Elections. Find my written testimony here:https://dustinczarny.com/2025/02/06/my-testimony-joint-legislative-hearing-on-2025-exec-budget-proposal-local-government-02-04-2025/