November 4, 2009

by Michael Patrick Leahy

12:15 am est

A melodramatic campaign fit for a Shakespearean trilogy ended with yet another twist Tuesday evening when Democrat Bill Owens apparently squeaked out a surprising 49-46 victory over Conservative Doug Hoffman, with 78% of the precincts reporting. A Siena Poll released Monday morning showed Hoffman leading 41-36, with 18% undecided. Based on the results with 78% reporting, it appears that the undecided vote broke 3 to 1 for Owens over Hoffman, driven to Owens perhaps by an aggressive effort of support by embittered RINO turned Democrat endorser Dede Scozzafava.

At about 12:15 am est, Doug Hoffman conceded to Owens from his headquarters in Saranac Lake.

UPDATE


November 3, 2009

9:00 pm est

Polls have closed throughout the district. The Watertown Daily Times is reporting that four towns in St. Lawrence County will have delayed reporting due to voting machine problems.

UPDATE


8:00 pm est

A spokesperson for the Fulton County New York Board of Elections just confirmed that voting machines from five election districts in that county that are part of 23 NY have been impounded due to mechanical malfunctions. Results from the other 4 election districts in that county that are part of 23 NY will be reported tonight. Fulton County's nine election districts are slightly more than 1% of the 614 election districts in the 23rd Congressional District.

UPDATE


1:05 pm est

Doug Hoffman flew into Oswego airport late this morning and was whisked away to a local restaurant, where he was met by a rousing turnout of engaged volunteers.

Oswego County Republican Chairman George Williams accompanied Hoffman to the event, and had the following comments:

"Turnout is excellent in Oswego County today. Doug made a flight in to our county airport. We took him to a local restaurant, and it was jammed with supporters. The weather is clear and windy here now. We had a little rain in the morning, but it's cleard up. I think we're going to have a great turnout. It will end up around 65%, I think."


Meanwhile, reports from Madison County in Central New York indicate strong turnout.

The last Siena Poll on November 1 showed Hoffman with a big lead in the Central NY counties, with Owens even in northeastern counties.

Locals contacted in Watertown, the largest city in more populous Jefferson County, reported good weather and "average" turnout as of 2:40 pm est.

ORIGINAL STORY
November 3, 2009

by Michael Patrick Leahy

12:33 pm est

Initial reports from NY 23 indicate that rainy weather in some of the northeastern counties may be dampening turnout.

A veteran political observer said that turnout was running at about the 40% level as of 12:30 pm est, which is about average in off year elections, where turnout in NY 23 usually runs in the 60% to 70% range.

Fulton County Republican Chairman Susan McNeil, however, said both the weather and turnout there were good.

"We've seen a steady flow of cars. I'm hearing that people are getting out there to vote. The weather is nice today in Fulton County."

Fulton County is part of the Central New York area of NY 23, where Hoffman has polled the strongest.

The northeastern counties of Essex, Franklin, and Clinton are the only areas where Democrat Owens is about even with Hoffman, according to the most recent polls.

In addition to the special election to replace Republican John McHugh in Congress, numerous local, county, and state offices are on the ballot today.



Michael Patrick Leahy is the Publisher of The TCOT Report and the author of Rules for Conservative Radicals

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