A panel presentation of candidates pictured above) took place in the MacVittie College Union ballroom on Wednesday Oct. 17. The forum introduced six candidates on the ballot from various political parties for the upcoming Nov. 6 elections. (Josie Kwan/Associate Photo Editor)
Geneseo hosted a forum on Wednesday Oct. 17 for six candidates running for different elected New York offices this year. The event, which was held in the MacVittie College Union Ballroom, aimed to educate local residents and student voters about the candidates.
The event began with each candidate providing a four-minute opening statement about who they are and what policies they stand for. Of the six candidates, two were contending for a 14-year term on the New York State Supreme Court, two for a two-year term in the State Assembly and two for a two-year term in the United States House of Representatives.
Geneseo Opportunities for Leadership Development and the Center for Community invited every candidate that will appear on the ballot in Geneseo on Nov. 6, including N.Y. governor Andrew Cuomo, according to Andrew Goodman Foundation Vote Everywhere Ambassador senior Patrick Buckley.
The incumbents for the Congressional race—Republican Chris Collins—and the Assembly race—Republican Joseph Errigo—declined to attend the forum.
The Congressional candidates who attended were Town Supervisor of Grand Island Democrat Nate McMurray and entrepreneur Larry Piegza, who is running under a third party. The Assembly candidates were non-profit director Democrat Barbara Baer and former Rochester City Court Judge Republican Marjorie Byrnes. The candidates for the State Supreme Court were incumbent Republican Ann Marie Taddeo and Monroe County Court Judge Democrat Christopher Ciaccio.
“Even if you don’t vote up here or can’t vote, knowing the candidates can still be important. You live here half the year and it matters who represents you.”
The Congressional and Assembly elections have drawn some interest from outside the districts due to the corruption charges against each of the incumbents. Collins was arrested and charged with insider trading by the FBI on Aug. 8, while Errigo was charged with accepting a bribe on Oct. 10. Both candidates have stayed in their respective races, but polling estimates have narrowed significantly for the Congressional case.
Spanish and English double major senior Mary Rutigliano felt that the forum effectively elevated students as members of the political world.
“I think it’s good that people are taking students seriously as a voting bloc,” Rutigliano said. “I like how the parties have begun taking the student opinion seriously in their policy-makers. It’s nice to see students be treated as community members, where year-round residents are sitting right next to students.”
Buckley emphasized that even if voting may feel pointless, every vote can change the outcome for whoever someone supports.
“There are a number of races that have been decided by just one vote, even when people didn’t expect them to be decided that way,” Buckley said. “Last year I think, there was a Virginia state election where the two candidates actually tied and whoever won decided who controlled their House of [Burgesses]. So, voting is definitely important.”
Although many students will vote absentee in their home districts instead of at the college, Andrew Goodman Foundation Vote Everywhere Ambassador senior Leah Christman still believes that knowing the local representatives is useful.
“Even if you don’t vote up here or can’t vote, knowing the candidates can still be important,” Christman said. “You live here half the year and it matters who represents you.”