GOP's absent from ballot in Victor election

Election day's about a month away, but in two towns a trip to the polls will be anything but routine. In Ontario County, paperwork snafus have sent some candidates scrambling. In republican-dominated Victor, GOP candidates won't even be on the ballot.

In a little over four weeks, voters in Victor will be casting ballots for Town Supervisor and Town Council. But for the first time in town history, not everyone running will appear on the November ballot. Republicans will be noticeably absent.

"Several forms had been filed, but apparently the most critical form which is the nominating certificate could not be found in the County Board of Elections, so they searched all day yesterday and couldn't find it and they're continuing to look today," said Jay Dutcher, the Chairman for the Ontario County Republican Committee.

That certificate included the names of Leslie Bamann, who's running uncontested for Town Supervisor. Michael Crowley and Richard Maltman for Town Council and Edward “Marty” Lyng Junior for Town Justice. All republicans, all will have to be write-in candidates come November.

"Write-in is typically a difficult thing to do to get their arms around that to understand how to do that process, it's not commonly done," said Dutcher.

But Town Supervisor Leslie Bamann isn't worried.

"Elections are always challenges, it's all about information and education and those are things we will focus on this month. But again same candidates it's going to be an exciting election campaign season it's all about getting people to the voting booth," said Leslie Bamann, Victor Town Supervisor.

Republicans say they're not blaming anyone for the mistake, they're now planning to go to the State Supreme Court to get their names back on the ballot.

Democrats say this snafu does give them an advantage, simply because their names are on the ballot. But they expect the Republicans to launch an aggressive campaign to make sure voters write-in their names come November 6th.