As political advertising and commentary hit full steam in the final weeks before Election Day, it can become more difficult to separate fact from fiction. So we urge people to do their own homework on the candidates and the issues before deciding which ones to support with their vote.
A steady stream of television commercials and mailboxes overflowing with political postcards can become overwhelming at times, and the people spending the money to produce them — often based far outside our election districts — have no shame in using deceptive tactics and questionable claims to try to prop up one side or the other.
We also hope that prospective voters don't give too much credence to social media posts by those trying to influence their decisions, because it's important to separate the opinions (and sometimes outright lies) of strangers from the statements, policies and records of the candidates themselves.
People are also reading…
A guide on how to cast your ballot in Cayuga County.Â
мÓƶà¶à¿ª½±¼Ç¼'s political reporter, Robert Harding, has been investigating claims made in political advertising in some of the races in the Cayuga County area. His fact checks take a deeper look into claims that have been made about the candidates and explain how, in many cases, those claims just don't jibe with the truth.
We've also covered several public presentations where politicians have discussed their policies and priorities; our voting guide tells you everything you need to know about how to vote in Cayuga County; and we continue to publish even more articles on specific races, with detailed information about the candidates and where they stand on the issues.
There are many important offices being filled this year, and an informed electorate is arguably the most important part of the process of filling them. Take some time to tune out the noise on your TV screen and mailbox, and learn about the people asking for your vote. Then decide whether their platforms, policies and records make them the best to represent your interests.
A breakdown of three competitive races in Cayuga County.