Board of Elections

Contact Information

Picture of Peter Quinn

Peter M. Quinn

Commissioner

Picture of Thomas Ferrarese

Thomas F. Ferrarese

Commissioner

Douglas E. French

Deputy Commissioner

Sheila M. Fleischauer

Deputy Commissioner

Board of Elections

106 and 108 County Office Building

39 W. Main St.

Rochester, NY 14614

Phone: 585 753-1550

Fax: 585 753-1511

e-mail

Administering Elections In Monroe County

The Board of Elections Department of Monroe County is responsible for administering all aspects of elections in Monroe County to maintain and facilitate participation in a democratic system of government. The Monroe County Board of Elections conducts all national, state, county, city and town elections. The structure of this agency, its responsibilities and duties are mandated by New York State Election Law. Guidelines for procedures are provided by the rules and regulations defined by the New York State Board of Elections.

The Monroe County Board of Elections is administered by two Commissioners of Elections who serve four year terms. The Commissioners are elected by the county committees of each political party and their appointment is confirmed by the Monroe County Legislature. The Commissioners, each assisted by a Deputy Commissioner and a full-time staff (with equal representation of Democrats and Republicans) provide the technical, clerical, and mechanical skills necessary to provide services; bilingual assistance; information and statistical data to county legislators, other county departments, governmental agencies and to the public.

New York State Board of Elections

40 Steuben Street
Albany, New York 12207
Phone: 518 474-6220
TTY: 1-800-533-8683 (Hearing Impaired)

Visit the New York State Board of Elections.

Election Definitions

What is a Primary Election?

A “Primary Election” is one in which only enrolled members of a party may vote for the purpose of nominating party candidates and electing party officers. In any election district, if a race is uncontested, no primary is held.

A “Primary Election” is held on the first Tuesday after the second Monday in September before every general election unless otherwise changed by an act of the legislature. Polls are open for voting from Noon until 9:00 p.m.

The board of elections canvasses the returns of the primary elections as early as possible within nine days from the day upon which the primary election is held. The board tabulates the number of votes cast for all the candidates for nomination to each public office or for election to a party position, and the number of votes cast for each such candidate. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes shall be the nominee of his party in the general election for such office or will be elected to a party position.

What is a General Election?

A “General Election” is an election that is being held throughout the state or country on the same day. The most prominent example is the Presidential election held every four years. Examples of statewide general elections include the races for the New York State Governor and New York State Senators.

Candidate Information

Picture of candidate at town hall meeting.

What is a candidate?

A candidate is an individual who seeks to be nominated or elected to public office or a party position. An individual shall be deemed to be a candidate if (1) action was taken to qualify for nomination or election or (2) monies were raised or expended by the individual or any agent in order to bring about such nomination or election to such office or position.

Most candidates get on the ballot by filing a petition containing a specified number of signatures. The required amount varies, depending on the office sought and whether the candidate is seeking a party nomination or a spot on the ballot as an independent.

2007 Candidates' List

District Maps

Redistricting

After the census is conducted every 10 years, political jurisdictions must go through a process of reapportionment. This process is necessary to equalize the number of persons living in each political subdivision.

The Board of Elections is responsible for implementing redistricting and providing maps in a timely manner allowing the petition process and elections to occur.

The new Federal and State lines required alterations to 126 election districts. Many of these changes created new districts that will be mandated for 10 years. In Monroe County, 11 new districts were created in the towns and nine in the City of Rochester. There were 550 changes to the Board of Elections street file and over 75,000 voters affected by the changes.

The Board of Elections is now able to provide voters and the community with high quality, full color maps. All district maps are available for purchase at the Board of Elections office, however, some are also available for viewing online (see below).