Updated: Election Day 2016 in Tioga County

It was a long night last Tuesday for election watchers as the results for the largest race, the presidential election, saw close numbers throughout the evening. But locally, and after a large voter turnout in Tioga County, N.Y., the numbers reflected big wins for Republicans in the region, as well as nationally.

For the presidential election, Hillary Clinton received 32.93 percent of the votes in Tioga County, while President-elect Donald Trump received over 60 percent – or 12, 528 votes. And in a surprising upset for democratic voters in New York, President-elect Trump won the seat with electoral votes, while Clinton maintained the popular vote, nationwide.

For United States Senate, Republican Wendy Long and Incumbent Charles Schumer, a democrat, saw a close race, with the gap in Tioga County coming in at less than 200 votes in favor of Schumer – who won the overall election.

For the 22nd Congressional District, Republican Claudia Tenney received the majority of votes in Tioga County, and was also declared the overall winner – defeating Democratic candidate Kim Myers in the race.

In the 23rd District Congressional District, Republican Thomas Reed retained his seat, defeating John Plumb, a democrat, by close to 6,000 votes within Tioga County, N.Y.

For the 52nd District Senate seat, Republican Fred Akshar also retained his seat, defeating Sharon Ball, a democrat, by over 10,000 votes in Tioga County. 

Republican Chistopher Friend also retained his seat in the assembly, defeating his opponent Bill Batrowny, a democrat, by bringing in 70 percent of the votes in Tioga County.

In other races, Dennis Mullen, a republican, retained his seat in District 5 for the county legislature and Republican Lynette Nickels defeated Democratic contender Richard Kovell in the race of Town Justice in Nichols.

The other races in Tioga County were uncontested. You can view the full Tioga County election results by visiting http://tiogacountyny.com/departments/board-of-elections/.

The Polls

And at the polls on Tuesday, things were very busy.

Voter turnout in Tioga County, N.Y. was reported to be heavy, with some voters arriving as early as 6 a.m. at their polling location. 

And according to Carolyn Dwyer, an election inspector in Tioga County, a few were lined up at 6 a.m. and there was a steady stream of voters after that.

By noontime, in Owego, N.Y., close to 700 had already arrived cast their ballots at just one polling location.

Faye Rafferty, election inspector, said that the poll workers didn’t have much of a break during the morning hours, and the afternoon and evening was expected to be even busier.

Rafferty stated that the turnout was good because of the presidential election, and the controversies surrounding the candidates.

Dwyer noted that more residents were registered with a party affiliation this year as well. 

Voters

Those who turned out also expressed the importance of voting on Election Day.

Maureen Wolcott left her storefront in Owego to cast her vote on Tuesday. According to Wolcott, “Everyone needs to vote; it’s their right.”

Randy Kipp, a first time voter, explained why he was voting this year. “It’s for the better of the country,” said Kipp of the importance of voting in this presidential election year.

Another resident, “Taz” Howard, stated that it’s important to vote.

“If you don’t vote, you can’t [complain],” said Howard.

John Ricklefs voted during the noon hour, and shared the same opinion as Howard. “You can’t [complain] if you don’t vote.”

Candidates React

Following the election on Tuesday, several candidates chimed in on the results.

Congressman Reed, who was celebrating in Corning, N.Y. on Tuesday evening, stated in a release, “We are humbled by the outpouring of support from volunteers and voters. I care deeply about this place we call home. I am proud to have earned your trust. I am excited to continuing working for our families.”

As for President-elect Trump’s win in the presidential race, Reed stated, “Congratulations to President-elect Donald Trump on his win. We have gotten to know him over this campaign and look forward to working with him to get our economy moving again. Now is a time for our nation to come together and fight for fair policies for the American people, such as creating jobs, balancing the budget, making our tax code more fair and reducing our dependence on Middle East crude. ” 

In an advisory received by Senator Fred Akshar’s office, they stated that he was ready to go back to work. Meetings with constituents were set up for Wednesday throughout his district.

Politicians React

The sentiment, however, by some New York Democrats was not the same.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a democrat, issued a statement on Wednesday in a reaction to the presidential race. 

“Obviously, I was deeply heartbroken by the results last night. Hillary Clinton has been a friend, mentor and inspiration to me my entire adult life,” said Gillibrand in her release. 

She added, “We are fortunate to live in the greatest Democracy on earth that is built upon important checks and balances. I stand ready to work cooperatively with President-elect Trump on shared goals and values and will be equally vigilant in opposing him where our values diverge.”

New York’s Governor, Andrew Cuomo, also reacted to the election on Wednesday, stating, “Last night was an emotional night, today is an emotional day for me. I am a friend and supporter of the Clintons for many years, I was in Bill Clinton’s cabinet for eight years and I supported Hillary Clinton from day one.” 

As for working with president-elect Trump, Cuomo stated, “I had called President-elect Donald Trump today and we had a good conversation. He is a New Yorker and we talked about issues for New York and the building that we are doing. I look forward to working together, we have a republican senate here in New York for six years, so as an executive your job is to get things done and I know how to work on the other side of the aisle and get things done.”

Residents React 

We also reached out to area residents for their reaction to the election. 

A Hillary Clinton supporter, Rose Garrity, who founded A New Hope Center in Owego, stated that she is deeply saddened and frightened for our previously guaranteed rights in light of the results of the election.

Garrity stated, “The most vulnerable among us are reeling with fear and I believe for very good reason. To brag that they will criminalize lawful organizing and protests of unjust realities, we are so very lost.” 

Garrity summed up her thoughts by referencing a quote made by Sinclair Lewis in 1935, “When fascism arrives in America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross.”

A Trump supporter, Owego resident Patrick Cartwright, following the election, stated, “We the People, of these great United States of America have spoken; and our message is clear – we are tired of the status quo; we are ready for change. We are a nation who now needs to embrace this change, and come together, bringing back what our founding fathers set forth when they formed the United States. Both parties campaigned hard, both parties were passionate, there could be only one winner, lets work together to bring this nation back to its full glory.”