Look to November, More On Local Politics

With many of the players already lined up readying themselves for the nomination process (), we are now gearing up as a town to start the eight-month trek toward election day.

Harrison elections are held every two years, at which time residents vote for the position of mayor, as well as for two of the four additional seats on the town board.

The remaining two seats on the board are not up for election for another two years. This staggering of votes is designed to ensure there is always experience on the council in the form of at least two incumbent members.

The same staggering is done with the positions of town clerk and receiver of taxes. This year the position of town clerk is up for election. 

The political process is a complicated one in many ways, not the least being the procedural steps from our current position to polling day. While we remain primarily a two-party system, there are additional parties that run candidates including the Independent, Conservative and Working Parties.

The election process begins with incumbents announcing their interest or lack of interest in re-running during the spring, and newcomers expressing their interest in joining the race.

This is followed by unofficial polls that both parties, and some individual candidates, undertake. Parties and candidates may run one poll or several polls leading up to the election. These polls are designed to determine voter interest in potential candidates, newcomer viability against incumbents and the issues of highest priority to voters. Those asked to participate in the polls will not know who or what party is sponsoring the poll. This is done in order to get unbiased, truthful responses.

Poll results are then considered by each party's district committee leaders. This is eventually followed by a vote by the district leaders that determines the names on the final tickets. Parties nominate one candidate for every position open for election.

Candidates on each ticket then work with their party to determine what the  upcoming campaign will look like. Campaigns are funded from existing party coffers as well as fundraisers run by, and for, the candidates.

Campaign funds are a determining factor in the makeup of the campaign itself. Depending on the amount of funds, print ads, radio ads, mailers and television ads will all be considered during the campaign, in addition to personal public appearances.

Additional polls may or may not be run in the period leading up to the election date for insight into updated issue preferences and polling numbers on the success of the campaign including the popularity of the candidate.

It is a grueling, exhausting, process for the candidates who are doing everything from shaking hands at train stations to visiting with voters late into the night. Between the process and the trash-talk that goes with it, it is not for the weak of heart and the media coverage is unending.

And it’s not over when the votes are in. The election itself is followed by an election night party for each candidate, to which all who worked for or were involved in the campaign are invited.

Get ready, it’s only just begun.