Approximately 19% of registered Syracuse Democratic voters participated in the mayoral primary election held on Tuesday.
Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens emerged victorious. According to unofficial election day results, he secured 62% of the votes. Councilor Pat Hogan received 23%, while Councilor Chol Majok obtained 15%.
Approximately 7,559 votes have been recorded so far. Around 600 absentee ballots remain uncounted, and some of these could potentially be submitted before the July 2 deadline.
Owens emerged victorious with over 4,700 votes.
The voter turnout for the year 2025 saw a minor uptick compared to what it was four years earlier. However, the primaries for the Democratic Party in Syracuse have experienced a notable decline since they were highly competitive contests back in the 1980s and 1990s.
Four years ago, Only 14% of Syracuse Democrats participated in the June primary. This marked the lowest turnout in 36 years.
In 1985, 45% of eligible Democrats participated in the contest where Tom Young emerged victorious over Joe Nicoletti. Approximately 42% of Republicans cast their votes in the election won by Roy Bernardi against Bernie Mahoney.
In 1993, approximately 42% of voters participated in the contest between Joe Fahey and Nicoletti. Nicoletti emerged victorious in the primary but ultimately lost the general election in November to Bernardi.
The 2001 primary election was delayed due to the September 11 terrorist assaults on the World Trade Center. That year, only 37% of voters participated, ultimately selecting Matt Driscoll as the Democratic nominee instead of contenders like Kate O'Connell, Joe O'Hara, and Minch Lewis.
In 2009, voter participation dropped significantly to only 24.4%, with Stephanie Miner emerging as the victor against Joe Nicoletti, Carmen Harlow, and Alfonso Davis.
In the 2013 primary election, which marked Miner's second victory, participation was notably low at merely 18.6% among eligible Democrats. Miner secured her position with just 3,860 votes against competitors Pat Hogan and Alfonso Davis.
In the 2017 primary election, approximately 23% of voters cast their ballots. It was during this contest that Juanita Perez Williams emerged victorious against Joe Nicoletti and Marty Masterpole. Walsh went on to win as the city’s inaugural independent mayor in November.
Contact Michelle Breidenbach | mbreidenbach@ | 315-470-3186.
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