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As election day approaches in less than a month, the city of Syracuse will see several races for local public offices, including seats for mayor, Syracuse City School District Board of Education and the Syracuse Common Council.

Early voting will begin on Oct. 25 through Nov. 2. Both early voting dates and times, as well as general election Nov. 4 polling places, are available online through the Onondaga County Board of Elections.

Oct. 25 is also the voter registration deadline, according to the New York State Board of Election’s website.

The Daily Orange has compiled important dates and candidates on the Nov. 4 ballot.

Mayoral election

Sharon Owens, Thomas Babilon, Tim Rudd and Alfonso Davis are the four mayoral candidates on the ballot. Owens, the city’s deputy mayor, won the democratic primary, securing her spot as the democratic candidate. She is also running with the Working Families Party.

Babilon, the Republican candidate, won the Republican primary uncontested. Rudd and Davis are both running as independents.

Owens’ platform concentrates on public safety, financial sustainability and education. Babilon is also prioritizing public safety and will work with the Syracuse Police Department to address gang and drug activity, according to his website.

Both Rudd and Davis said they’re focused on integrity, accountability and collaboration in their campaigns at a September debate.

As of Sept. 29, Owens had a campaign balance of $126,100, significantly larger than her opponents, with Babilon’s campaign at $21,300 and Rudd’s at $700, syracuse.com reported.

Davis has not reported funds.

All candidates have agreed to four public debates later this month:

• Oct. 14: The first will be held by syracuse.com and aired on WCNY at 8 p.m.
• Oct. 20: CitrusTV will host a debate at Syracuse University’s National Veterans Resource Center at 6 p.m.
• Oct. 22: The third debate will air on WSYR-TV at 7 p.m.
• Oct. 23: The fourth and final debate will be hosted by Central Current at 6 p.m.

Board of Education election

There are three openings for commissioners on the SCSD Board of Education. The board has seven commissioners in total, each serving four-year terms.

Candidates Twiggy Billue, Karen Cordano and Michael Root are running on the Democratic ticket after winning in the primary in June.

Billue and Cordano are incumbents and have secured the Working Families Party spots.

Republican Jason Petrone is also running, along with incumbent Nyatwa Bullock, who has started a write-in campaign after losing the Democratic primary.

Common Council election

Rita Paniagua is the only candidate for Common Council president running as a Democrat and part of the Working Families Party.

Hanah Ehrenreich and Rasheada Caldwell won the Democratic primary in June for the two spots for Common Councilor-at-large. Ehrenreich is also on the Working Families Party line.

They are running uncontested and will win the seats unless there’s a write-in campaign, syracuse.com reported.

All candidates running for district councilor seats are also uncontested.

First district candidate Marty Nave, 3rd district candidate Corey J. Williams and 4th district candidate Patrona Jones-Rowser are all running as Democrats. Second district candidate Donna Moore and 5th district candidate Jimmy Monto are running on both the Democratic and Working Families Party lines.

The general election is on Nov. 4.

Published on October 6, 2025 at 9:47 pm
Contact Sydney: sadepiet@syr.edu