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<h2>Petitioning is happening now!</h2>There are a lot of excellent Democratic candidates seeking ballot access for November 2026. Watch this space for your local party's endorsements!

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<h2>If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.</h2><ul><li>Senator Corey Booker</li></ul><h3 style="text-align: center;">Executive Committee Members</h3><a href="mailto:chair@orleansnydemocrats.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jeff Lewis - Chairperson</a>Jeanne Crane- Vice ChairpersonJim Renfrew- Vice ChairpersonKriss Sniffen- TreasurerBeth Wood- Secretary<h2 style="text-align: center;">Orleans County Democratic Committee Members:</h2><h2 style="text-align: center;">ALBION</h2><ul><li>Michael Schmackpfeffer</li><li>Terry Wilbert</li><li>Patricia Cammarata</li><li>Sandra Walter</li><li>Phil McKenna</li><li>Gary Kent</li><li>Abby Fitzwater</li></ul><h2 style="text-align: center;">BARRE</h2><ul><li>Maureen Beach&nbsp;</li><li>Janice Grabowski&nbsp;</li><li>Kriss Sniffen&nbsp;</li><li>Beth Wood&nbsp;</li><li>Scott Bennett</li></ul><h2 style="text-align: center;">CARLTON</h2><ul><li>Jeffrey Lewis&nbsp;</li><li>Bob Golden</li><li>Eileen Aina&nbsp;</li><li>Jeanne Crane&nbsp;</li><li>Gloria Nauden</li><li>Thadeous Nauden</li></ul><h2 style="text-align: center;">CLARENDON</h2><ul><li>James R. Renfrew</li><li>Cecelia Stephens</li><li>Tina DeSimone</li></ul><h2 style="text-align: center;">GAINES</h2><ul><li>Bill Lattin&nbsp;</li><li>Theodore Swiercznski&nbsp;</li><li>Ann Consler</li><li>Rick Ebbs</li><li>Chris Sartwell</li><li>Fred Miller</li><li>Betty García Mathewson</li></ul><h2 style="text-align: center;">KENDALL</h2><ul><li>Catherine Renko&nbsp;</li><li>Jack Gillman&nbsp;</li><li>Lynn Szozda&nbsp;</li></ul><h2 style="text-align: center;">MURRAY</h2><ul><li>Patti Moore</li><li>Jeremy Ross</li></ul><h2 style="text-align: center;">RIDGEWAY</h2><ul><li>Jess Marciano​</li><li>Leighann VanAucker</li><li>Emily Stavange</li></ul><h2 style="text-align: center;">SHELBY</h2><ul><li>Darlene Rich&nbsp;</li><li>Dan Nogle</li><li>Diana Baker</li></ul><h2 style="text-align: center;">YATES</h2><ul><li>Agnes M. Recco&nbsp;</li><li>Patty Nagel</li></ul>

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<h2>The Orleans County Democratic Committee celebrates lives to be admired as we mourn the losses of members of our Democratic Party who had an impact on our organization and the community at large. </h2><h2>Each individual listed below was an active participant in our democracy and a great friend.</h2>Carol Tibbits 1955-2022 Carol Tibbits was a valued member of the Democratic Committee, including a span of time as the Committee Chair. We are thankful for her contributions during that time.Helen Zelazny 1933-2022 Helen Zelazny worked as the Orleans County Deputy Election Commissioner for 28 years, was the Election Commissioner for 14 years, and was also a Vice Chair of the Orleans County Democratic Committee for a period of time. We are so grateful for the impact Helen made on our community, ripples of which will be felt for decades to come.Al Capurso 1952-2021 Al served his community tirelessly to help others and provided the musical entertainment at many of our gatherings and fundraisers. Al also ran for office and gave voice to issues that were important to him. He will be greatly missedSally M. Rytlewski 1935-2020 Sally was a trailblazing member of the Orleans County Democratic Party and served as the chairperson over many years. Under Sally's leadership, many local elections were contested and she was s strong and vocal supporter of all the Democratic candidates, as was her son Scott. Sally also volunteered her time to many other worthwhile causes, and she had a smile that lit up any room.1933-2020 Harry Butler Harry was a longtime member of the county Democratic committee, including 10 years as vice chair from 1966-76. Harry also served as town councilman from Kendall for eight years. Harry was a charter member of the Orleans County Planning Board. Harry continued to assist Democratic candidates in the election process until the very end. He will be missed.

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<h2>Featured headline</h2>This is section is perfect for putting a bit more detail about something the party wants to focus on — could be voter registration, a meeting announcement, a call to volunteer, or a reminder to vote.

<h2>Candidate Forum For NY24 Primary</h2>Visit the Hoag Library on June 4th to learn more about the candidates on the primary ballot.

<h2>Election Season</h2>This November, we have a lot to decide — just because the president isn't on the ballot doesn't mean there isn't lots to consider. This year, make it your mission to know who is representing you locally.

<h2>Podcasts</h2>Your Democratic Committee is working on an audio feature just for you. — Are you ready to hear more about local issues and learn more about the decision making that affects your day to day life? We're ready to share.

<h2>We need you.</h2>The Democratic Committee of Orleans County is missing your input — only you can make yourself heard. Come to one of our meetings or reach out to a local member to find out what you can do.

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Make sure you make these deadlines for registering and voting. To check your registration or look up your polling place, <a href="https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">click here</a>.For NY's full 2026 Political calendar, <a href="https://elections.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2025/12/2026-political-calendar-quad-fold-12.9.2025-final.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">click here.</a>

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<h2>2026 elections will be here before you know it.</h2>Do you know which offices you could run for? There are several offices coming up this year, but you need to act quickly!This is a critical time for our community, and we need to ensure responsible and reliable people are holding the pen when decisions are made.Petitioning begins in February! If you aren't early, you're late. Don't miss a chance to run for any of the following openings in 2026!Legislature<ul><li>District 1</li><li>District 2</li><li>District 3</li><li>District 4</li><li>At Large East</li><li>At Large Central</li><li>At Large West</li></ul>Albion - Town Supervisor, Town JusticeBarre - Town SupervisorCarlton - Town JusticeClarendon - Town SupervisorGaines - Supervisor, Superintendent of highwaysKendall - Supervisor, Superintendent of highwaysMurray - SupervisorShelby - SupervisorYates - Supervisor<h2></h2>

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Introducing: Democratic Voices of Orleans County!Our first podcast is live and ready for you - please pop it into your headphones and learn a bit more from the voices of your neighbors.All podcasts are available on our website or wherever you already get your music and podcasts from. Just search "Democratic Voices of Orleans County" in your provider of choice.

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First Podcast is Live!

The Orleans County Democrats are hosting a Candidate Forum at the Hoag Library on June 4th at 7pm. All are encouraged to attend and submit questions to these candidates.To do your homework ahead of time, please see the candidates websites:<ul><li><a href="https://www.ellmanforcongress.com/">Alissa Ellman</a></li><li><a href="https://dianaforny24.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Diana Kastenbaum</a> </li></ul>

June 4th NY24 Democrat Primary Forum

On 5/5/2026, Orleans County Democrats delivered the following letter to the Town of Ridgeway regarding their illegal political party membership article in their Code of Ethics: To the Town of Ridgeway, New YorkWe, the undersigned residents of Orleans County, write to formally object to the following provision in the Town’s Code of Ethics:“No municipal officer or employee may, while serving as an elected or appointed Town employee, be a committeeperson, chairman, vice-chairman, or other officer of any Town political party, with the exception of committee persons as of the date of this policy enactment, who shall be considered grandfathered.”We respectfully but firmly assert that this provision is legally questionable and overbroad. Restrictions on protected political activities are inconsistent with fundamental constitutional protections. We urge the Town Board to revise or repeal it without delay.This rule attempts to impose a blanket prohibition on participation in local political party leadership. Such participation lies at the very core of the freedoms of speech and association protected by the First Amendment. Courts have consistently held that government entities may not unduly restrict political affiliation or activity absent a narrowly tailored and compelling justification. This provision offers neither.Additionally, under New York General Municipal Law § 806, municipal ethics codes are intended to address conflicts of interest, financial disclosure, and the proper use of public office. They are not designed to regulate or prohibit lawful political engagement or party involvement. By attempting to do so, this provision exceeds the scope of permissible local regulation.The rule is particularly problematic as applied to elected officials, who are accountable directly to the voters. These officials can not be subject to additional qualifications imposed by local policy. Preventing an elected official from holding a role within a political party effectively creates a new barrier to public service that is not authorized under New York law.The inclusion of a so-called “grandfather” clause highlights the capricious nature of this article. This unequal treatment undermines any claim that the rule is necessary for ethical governance and instead suggests arbitrariness in its application.We fully support strong and enforceable ethics standards. However, those standards must be lawful, narrowly tailored, and focused on actual conflicts of interest and misuse of public resources. If the Town’s goal is to prevent conflicts or improper influence, there are well-established and legally sound alternatives already established in existing laws. Clear conflict of interest directives, such as recusal or abstention when a subject could affect a political party, could be an appropriate remedy.A blanket ban on political party roles is neither necessary nor defensible.We ask that this matter be placed on the agenda for the next Town Board meeting and addressed transparently, with an opportunity for public input.Thank you for your attention to this important issue. We look forward to your prompt action to ensure that the Town’s policies respect both the law and the constitutional rights of its residents and officials.Respectfully,The Orleans County Democratic Committee

Dems Demand 1st Amendment Protection In Ridgeway

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No Kings!

NO KINGS is a nonviolent national day of action and mass mobilization in response to the increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption of the Trump administration.&nbsp;&nbsp;It is non-partisan in nature. Although this event is being hosting by members of your Orleans County Democratic Committee, all are welcome.&nbsp;&nbsp;Municipal and street parking are available, and we ask participants to respect the needs of businesses. How can people NOT be concerned about what this current administration is doing to solidify unaccountable&nbsp;power?&nbsp;A war and a gold-plated ballroom, neither with Congressional authorization celebrate&nbsp;an inflated ego; trial balloons about an unconstitutional third term; Undermining&nbsp;voting integrity on the basis of election irregularities that have never been proven in court case after court case; Promoting our nation's 250th Anniversary in ways that only a dictator could love; Changing government departments for personal gain as evidenced by appointment of leaders without expertise in these areas; Pardoning convicted criminals following massive business deals or donations to campaigns - These are the things we protest&nbsp;today.&nbsp;The No Kings Movement has been accused of over-dramatizing its&nbsp;case,&nbsp;but everything we have warned about has come true as democracy is being squeezed and squeezed until there will be nothing left.&nbsp;It's time to take a stand in every&nbsp;village and town. The basic tenets of democracy are evaporating before our eyes,&nbsp;but we who are participating in this No Kings event, one of thousands of such gatherings across the country, are hopeful, deeply committed, and not afraid to speak truth&nbsp;to power. Join us, stand with us, and add your voice.&nbsp;

Where does the Orleans County Democratic Committee stand on STAMP? We stand with indigenous communities and will continue to oppose STAMP moving through their communities.

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STAMP Updates

This is your chance to present questions and hear directly from the candidates earning your vote for the June 23rd primary. Both candidates present a wonderful opportunity to oust ineffective Claudia Tenney from our district!

NY24 Primary Candidate Forum

All are welcome to attend this forum and submit questions to the candidates seeking your vote in the NY 24 Congressional Primary this June!

NY24 Primary Opponent Town Hall

We all know we've been paying more than ever, and our governor knows that, too. This budget cycle, the executive has proposed to return some of that excess back to the consumers, us.

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Inflation Refund

There are multiple seats available to run for in 2026!

Orleans County is endorsing local candidates for office. Click here to learn more!

Endorsements on the move!

Packing or cracking, the practice of diluting large populations of voters is alive and well in Orleans County, as alleged in the suit we filed against the county in February of 2021.

Redistricting

RESOLUTION of the New York State Democratic CommitteeCalling for the Restraining of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Reaffirm our Support for the New York for All ActWHEREAS, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was created in 2003 as part of the post-9/11 Department of Homeland Security and has since operated with sweeping police powers, minimal oversight, and a documented pattern of abuse against immigrant and non-immigrant communities alike;WHEREAS, ICE agents, under the Trump Administration, have repeatedly detained, arrested, and surveilled U.S. citizens as well as undocumented immigrants, including through racial profiling, mistaken identity, and coercive enforcement tactics that amount to kidnappings under color of law;WHEREAS, in the year 2026 alone, ICE operations under the supervision of Steven Miller, Secretary Kristi Noem and Border Patrol Chief, Gregory Bovino has caused the death of at least eight individuals who have died while in custody, including the horrific killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good; andWHEREAS, ICE has conducted arrests without judicial warrants, entered homes and workplaces without consent, and relied on deceptive practices, violating Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures and Fifth Amendment guarantees of due process;WHEREAS, the Trump administration’s actions in Minnesota represent a clear example of executive overreach and a violation of our aforementioned rights; andWHEREAS, ICE detention centers—many run by for-profit private prison corporations—have been widely documented for unsafe conditions, medical neglect, abuse, and denial of legal access, resulting in preventable deaths and severe harm;WHEREAS, it has already been established by a chief federal judge in Minnesota that ICE had violated nearly 100 court orders stemming from its aggressive crackdown in the state and had disobeyed more judicial directives in January alone than “some federal agencies have violated in their entire existence”; andWHEREAS, ICE agents are not required to show their faces, which “erodes public trust in law enforcement and makes it harder to hold individual officers accountable for any potential bad behavior”; andWHEREAS, the Latiné community is being disproportionately targeted by ICE agents, accounting for nearly three-quarters of arrests while making up just a quarter of the state's non-citizen population; andWHEREAS, thousands of New Yorkers have already taken to the streets in protest to fight back against the Trump administration’s ICE crackdown in Minnesota; andWHEREAS, in 2025, Republicans in Congress allocated $75 billion for ICE alone, making it the highest-funded federal law enforcement agency; andWHEREAS, the continued funding of ICE by the U.S. Congress without appropriate constraints and legal guardrails enables these violations to persist and expands an agency whose core function, as executed under the Trump Administration, is incompatible with constitutional rights, human dignity, and community safety; andWHEREAS, U.S. Senators possess both the authority and the obligation to halt funding for ICE until such constraints and legal guardrails, consistent with the United States Constitution shall be implemented; andWHEREAS, ICE has become an agency that operates with violence, impunity and total disregard for human and civilian life; andTHEREFORE, be it RESOLVED, that the NYS Democratic Committee supports a comprehensive restructuring of federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as it currently stands, including the transition from ICE toward a model that safeguards human rights and due process, while recognizing the need for border security; andBE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that U.S. Senators are urged to oppose all funding for ICE, including through Department of Homeland Security appropriations and continuing resolutions; andBE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that U.S. Senators are called upon to introduce and support legislation to rein in ICE, cease its detention and deportation machinery as currently operating, bringing all operations into full compliance with all applicable laws and the United States Constitution, and invest instead in policies that uphold constitutional rights, human dignity, and true community safety for all; andBE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The New York State Democratic Committee commends Governor Hochul’s recent proposal to outlaw 287(g) agreements, which are formal cooperation agreements between local law enforcement and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; andBE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the New York State Democratic Committee reaffirms its support for the principles of the New York for All Act (NY4A). This legislation would prohibit state and local resources from being used to aid most non-criminal federal immigration enforcement and ensure that New York is not complicit in ICE’s violence.Appendix I: SourcesAnderson, M. (2025, June 4). Private prisons and local jails are ramping up as ICE detention exceeds capacity. NPR. <a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/06/04/nx-s1-5417980/private-prisons-and-local-jails-are-ramping-up-as-ice-detention-exceeds-capacity" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.npr.org/2025/06/04/nx-s1-5417980/private-prisons-and-local-jails-are-ramping-up-as-ice-detention-exceeds-capacity</a>Barr, L. (2026, January 22). ICE memo allows agents to enter homes without judicial warrant: Whistleblower complaint. ABC News. <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/US/ice-memo-allows-agents-enter-homes-judicial-warrant/story?id=129436766" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://abcnews.go.com/US/ice-memo-allows-agents-enter-homes-judicial-warrant/story?id=129436766</a>Feuer, A. (n.d.). Judge in Minnesota says ice has violated nearly 100 court orders - The New York Times. Judge in Minnesota Says ICE Has Violated Nearly 100 Court Orders. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/28/us/politics/judge-minnesota-ice-court-orders.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/28/us/politics/judge-minnesota-ice-court-orders.html</a>Gold, M. (n.d.). Republicans gave ice a slush fund. Democrats want to limit it. - The New York Times. Republicans Gave ICE a Slush Fund. Democrats Want to Limit It. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/28/us/politics/ice-funding-congress.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/28/us/politics/ice-funding-congress.html</a>Hellmann, M. (2026, January 28). Eight people have died in dealings with ice so far in 2026. these are their stories. The Guardian. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/28/deaths-ice-2026-" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/28/deaths-ice-2026-</a>Lewis, R. C. (2026, January 30). Hochul proposes banning local cooperation with ice. City &amp; State NY. <a href="https://www.cityandstateny.com/policy/2026/01/hochul-proposes-banning-local-cooperation-ice/411095/?oref=csny-homepage-top-story" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.cityandstateny.com/policy/2026/01/hochul-proposes-banning-local-cooperation-ice/411095/?oref=csny-homepage-top-story</a>Martichoux , A. (n.d.). Why do ice officers wear masks – and is it legal?. Why do ICE officers wear masks – and is it legal? <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/nexstar_media_wire/5708416-why-do-ice-officers-wear-masks-and-is-it-legal/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://thehill.com/homenews/nexstar_media_wire/5708416-why-do-ice-officers-wear-masks-and-is-it-legal/</a>Ryan, E., Detrow, S., Garsd, J., &amp; Keatley, A. (2025, September 13). The Supreme Court clears the way for ICE agents to treat race as grounds for immigration stops. NPR. <a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/09/13/nx-s1-5507125/the-supreme-court-clears-the-way-for-ice-agents-to-treat-race-as-grounds-for-immigration-stops" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.npr.org/2025/09/13/nx-s1-5507125/the-supreme-court-clears-the-way-for-ice-agents-to-treat-race-as-grounds-for-immigration-stops</a>Schweber, N. (n.d.). Over a thousand protesters in NYC denounce ice after latest killing - The New York Times. Over a Thousand Protesters in New York Denounce ICE After Latest Killing. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/24/us/nyc-ice-protest-alex-pretti.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/24/us/nyc-ice-protest-alex-pretti.html</a>US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (n.d.). History of ice | ice. History of ICE. <a href="https://www.ice.gov/history" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.ice.gov/history</a>

Last month, NY Dems met in Syracuse. While together, the entire committee unanimously resolved to both condemn ICE and to support the New York For All Act.

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Dems Demand 1st Amendment Protection In Ridgeway

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