Hawthorne, New York Public Records

Residents can register to vote online through the New York State Board of Elections website at https://voterreg.dmv.ny.gov/MotorVoter or by submitting a paper application available at the Westchester County Board, Department of Motor Vehicles offices, or public libraries. The registration deadline falls 25 days before any election. New York requires voters to provide name, address, date of birth, and the last four digits of their Social Security number or DMV identification number. As a closed primary state, New York requires voters to register with a party at least 25 days before the general election - nearly a year ahead - to vote in that party's next primary. Because Hawthorne is an unincorporated hamlet within the Town of Mount Pleasant, there are no separate municipal elections for mayor or city council. Instead, residents vote in Town of Mount Pleasant elections for Town Supervisor and Town Council members. These elections take place in odd-numbered years, with the next town elections scheduled for November 2025. The current Mount Pleasant Town Supervisor's office is at 1 Town Hall Plaza, Valhalla, NY 10595. Local voters also participate in Westchester County elections for County Executive (four-year terms), County Board of Legislators (representing District 3), District Attorney, and County Clerk. State elections include New York State Assembly (District 93 or 94 depending on exact location), New York State Senate (District 38 or 40), and statewide offices. Residents can find their assigned polling place using the polling place locator at https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov or by calling the Westchester County Board at 914-995-5700. Polling locations in the area have historically included Hawthorne Cedar Knolls School and Mount Pleasant Community Center. New York provides substantial public access to election records under Election Law and the Freedom of Information Law. Voter registration lists are available to candidates, committees, and media organizations through formal requests to the Westchester County Board. Individual voter registration status and party enrollment is publicly searchable online. Campaign finance disclosure reports for state candidates are available through the New York State Board of Elections at www.elections.ny.gov/CFViewReports.html, while county and local campaign finance records are maintained by the Westchester County Board of Elections. Candidate petition filings, including names of petition signers, are public records. Precinct-level election results are published on the Westchester County Board's website after certification. In the November 2024 presidential election, Westchester County recorded approximately 67% voter turnout with over 450,000 ballots cast from roughly 672,000 registered voters, reflecting strong civic engagement. Looking ahead to November 3, 2026, residents will decide several significant races. New York's gubernatorial election is scheduled for 2026, with Governor and Lieutenant Governor on the ballot for four-year terms. All 213 seats in the New York State Legislature (150 Assembly, 63 Senate) will be contested. U.S. Senate is not up in New York in 2026 (next election 2028 for Gillibrand's seat). However, all U.S. House seats are contested every two years; local voters participate in either New York's 16th or 17th Congressional District depending on precise boundaries. At the Westchester County level, 17 Westchester County Board of Legislators seats (all districts) are elected in 2025 for two-year terms and again in 2027, so there are no county legislative races in 2026. The Westchester County District Attorney seat (four-year term) was last elected in 2023, next in 2027. New York Attorney General and State Comptroller positions are on the 2026 ballot. To request an absentee ballot in New York, voters must submit an application to the Westchester County Board of Elections either online through the state absentee ballot portal at https://absenteeballot.elections.ny.gov, by mail, or in person. Applications must be received by the Westchester County Board no later than the day before the election (for in-person delivery) or 7 days before Election Day if applying by mail. New York allows absentee voting for reasons including absence from county, illness or disability, or duties related to primary care of sick individuals, among other specified reasons. Early voting is available at designated sites for nine days before Election Day.