Dayton, New York Public Records

The registration deadline comes 25 days before Election Day. Voters must provide proof of identity and residence, acceptable documents include a New York driver's license, utility bill, bank statement, or government document showing name and address. New York doesn't require photo ID at the polls, though first-time voters who registered by mail may need to show identification. As an unincorporated town, Dayton doesn't hold separate municipal elections for mayor or city council. Instead, residents are governed by the Dayton Town Board. Town elections take place in odd-numbered years on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. Voters elect a Town Supervisor, Town Council members (typically four positions), Town Clerk, and Highway Superintendent. Information about local candidates and town ballot measures can be obtained from the Dayton Town Clerk at (716) 988-3898 or from the Cattaraugus County Board of Elections. Polling place assignments can be looked up on the Cattaraugus County Board of Elections website or by calling the office. Most residents vote at the Dayton Town Hall, 9678 Route 62, but voters should verify their specific polling location before Election Day. Under New York Election Law, voter registration lists are public records available from the Cattaraugus County Board of Elections, though personal information such as Social Security numbers and dates of birth are redacted. Campaign finance records for state and local candidates are maintained by the New York State Board of Elections at https://www.elections.ny.gov/ and are searchable online. Precinct-level election results are published by the Cattaraugus County Board of Elections after each election and are available on their website or by request. New York's gubernatorial election will take place in 2026, with Governor Kathy Hochul's seat on the ballot along with other statewide offices including Attorney General and Comptroller. All 213 seats in the New York State Legislature (150 Assembly, 63 Senate) will be up for election; the town is part of the 57th State Senate District and 148th Assembly District (district numbers subject to redistricting). The U.S. Senate seat held by Kirsten Gillibrand will not be up in 2026 (her next election is 2024), but the seat held by Chuck Schumer will be on the 2028 ballot. At the Cattaraugus County level, various Cattaraugus County offices including County Legislature seats may be on the ballot depending on term schedules. Town offices won't be contested in 2026, as town elections occur in odd years (next in 2025 and 2027). New York voters can request absentee ballots for several reasons including absence from the county on Election Day, illness, disability, or being a resident or spouse of a resident of a veterans health facility. Absentee ballot applications must be received by the Cattaraugus County Board of Elections no later than 10 days before the election if applying by mail, or the day before the election if applying in person. Completed absentee ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received by the Board of Elections within seven days of the election to be counted, or delivered in person by 9:00 PM on Election Day. New York does not have universal no-excuse mail voting, but the state does allow early voting at designated sites beginning nine days before Election Day and running through the Sunday before the election. Early voting locations for local voters are announced before each election and may include sites in Little Valley or other nearby towns.