To the Editor,
I am writing to encourage our local citizenry to vote this Nov. 7th. I realize these off-year elections do NOT generate the excitement of Presidential elections or even that of midterms. Voter turnout tends to drop dramatically, as only local and county contests appear on the ballot. State-level contests are only special elections during the off-years.

Generally in off-year elections, like now in 2023, voters decide ballot propositions on a state-wide, county, or town basis.

In this election, two state propositions appear on the back of ballots:

1. REMOVAL OF SMALL CITY SCHOOL DISTRICTS FROM SPECIAL CONSTITUTIONAL DEBT LIMITATION
2. EXTENDING SEWAGE PROJECT DEBT EXCLUSION FROM DEBT LIMIT
   More information can be found at: https://www.elections.ny.gov/
   The true power of participating in off-year elections is in deciding local elections and propositions.
   Many voters feel as though their votes do NOT count. The one place their vote has a strong impact is in deciding local elections. Many such elections are decided by simply a handful of votes. So one’s vote is not diluted as it may be in presidential elections.
   And local elections can control the direction of local decisions. The local legislative bodies often control those issues most concerning to voters, like the quality of roads.
   Sincerely,
   Ly Kesse, Representative
   Alfred, NY District 1
   Allegany County Democratic Committee