Under New York election law, voters can gather petition signatures to place on the ballot an option of Write In — so that each voter can write in a candidate’s name. The move is called an “opportunity to ballot.” It creates competition for a party’s designated candidate by giving voters a choice to write in someone else’s name. If the “opportunity to ballot” is used in the primary season, it forces a primary election in which a party’s voters can reject the party’s choice of nominee.

District 5 Description/Map

District 5: is in northeastern Syracuse and includes the neighborhoods of Eastwood, Salt Springs, Meadowbrook, Westcott and Near Eastside. District 5 Map