Harford, New York Public Records

Residents can register to vote online through the New York State Board of Elections website at dmv.ny.gov/more-info/electronic-voter-registration-application, which connects to the state's online registration system. New registrations must be received at least 25 days before an election. Voters need their New York State driver's license or DMV non-driver ID number, date of birth, and the last four digits of their Social Security number. Paper registration forms are available at the Cortland County Board of Elections, the Harford Town Clerk's office at 4526 State Route 38, the Harford Public Library, and various state agencies. Eligibility requires U.S. Citizenship, at least 18 years of age by election day, and county residency for at least 30 days prior to the election. As a town government, Harford holds elections for Town Supervisor, four Town Council members, Town Clerk, Town Justice, Highway Superintendent, and other positions. These elections occur in odd-numbered years during the November general election (next in November 2025 and 2027). The Town Supervisor and Town Council serve two-year terms, as do most other town positions. Candidate petitions for town offices must be filed with the Cortland County Board of Elections by the second Tuesday in July preceding the election. Information about local candidates, ballot measures, and town referendums can be obtained from the board or the Harford Town Clerk at 607-844-9213. Residents can find their assigned polling place using the New York State Board of Elections polling place lookup tool at voterlookup.elections.ny.gov or by calling the Cortland County Board of Elections at 607-753-5032. Most voters in the town cast ballots at either the Harford Town Hall or the Harford Fire Department, depending on their election district. Polls are open from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM on election day. Several categories of election records are public information in New York. Voter registration lists are available for purchase by candidates and political committees but are not freely accessible to the general public under Election Law § 5-210. Campaign finance records for state and local candidates must be filed with the New York State Board of Elections and are searchable online at publicreporting.elections.ny.gov/CampaignFinance. Candidate petitions and designating petitions are public records maintained by the board and can be inspected during business hours. Election night results by district are posted on the Cortland County Board's website, typically within hours of poll closing, with certified results available approximately two weeks after the election following canvassing. In the November 2024 presidential election, Cortland County reported approximately 55-58% voter turnout among registered voters, with roughly 16,500 ballots cast out of approximately 29,000 registered voters. The town's voter turnout typically mirrors or slightly exceeds county averages in presidential elections. The area leans Republican in most elections but shows competitive races in local contests. The November 3, 2026 general election will be significant for New York voters. While 2026 is not a presidential year, voters will decide several crucial races: Governor of New York (Kathy Hochul's term expires, making this a gubernatorial election year), all 213 seats in the New York State Assembly (including the 122nd District which includes Harford), approximately 32 of the 63 New York State Senate seats (including the 52nd District covering Cortland County), all 27 U.S. House of Representatives seats representing New York (Harford is in the 19th or 22nd Congressional District depending on current boundaries), and one U.S. Senate seat (though New York's Senate races fall in 2024 and 2028, not 2026, so this will not be on the 2026 ballot). Cortland County-level offices up for election in 2026 may include County Clerk, District Attorney, County Sheriff (depending on term cycles), and various county legislature seats. Harford town offices will not be on the 2026 ballot as town elections occur in odd-numbered years (2025, 2027). New York offers absentee voting for residents who will be out of the county on election day, unable to vote due to illness or disability, or have duties related to their employment. Absentee ballot applications must be received by the Cortland County Board of Elections no later than 10 days before the election if requesting mail delivery, or the day before the election if picking up the ballot in person. Applications are available at cortland-co.org/elections or by calling 607-753-5032. New York has implemented early voting, with early voting sites operating for nine days before election day, including weekends. Cortland County typically designates 2-3 early voting locations, which may include the board's office or other county facilities. Residents of the town should verify early voting locations through the board as locations are finalized 6-8 weeks before each election.