Ontario County election officials have released another update on the 2025 General Election, tightening key races and confirming that several contests — including the Canandaigua town supervisor race — will require hand recounts after Thanksgiving.
The latest unofficial results now include all counted affidavit ballots, all timely postmarked mail ballots received through November 12, and updated voter history for affidavit, mail-in, early in-person, and Election Day voters. The new data also confirms that no unscanned ballots currently remain at the Board of Elections.
Mail ballots, cures, and military/UOCAVA status clarified
According to Elections Commissioners A.J. Magnan and Adeline Rudolph:
- Zero military/UOCAVA ballots were received Thursday.
- 73 military/UOCAVA ballots remain unreturned. These may still arrive through November 17, the final legal deadline.
- Five previously received mail ballots are still awaiting cure affirmations.
- Five others missed the cure affirmation deadline and will not be counted.
- No additional ballots are currently awaiting scanning.
The Board continues audits of district returns, machine results, and write-in attribution. Additional write-in names will be added next week.
Canandaigua supervisor race still within hand-count margin
The Canandaigua town supervisor race remains one of the county’s closest.
Updated totals show Democrat Don Cotter leading Republican Jared Simpson 1,741 to 1,727, a margin of 14 votes, which triggers a mandatory manual recount under New York law.
A full hand review of all ballots in that contest will occur after Thanksgiving at 74 Ontario Street in Canandaigua. Candidates will receive formal notice once dates and times are set.
Multiple contests now slated for manual recounts
The commissioners confirmed that “some contests” — totaling roughly 9,000 cast ballots — fall within the 20-vote recount threshold. All affected races will undergo manual review following the military ballot deadline.
Machine totals fully reported, but results remain unofficial
All 92 Ontario County districts have reported machine results. Current standings include:
- Canandaigua Mayor: Thomas Lyon leading Bob Palumbo
- Naples Supervisor: John Cowley ahead
- South Bristol Supervisor: Lisa Moore leading
- Bristol Supervisor: Laura Abplanalp leading
- Richmond Supervisor: Mike Baker ahead
Any race with a margin under 20 votes — including Canandaigua town supervisor — will remain unsettled until the hand recounts are completed and the canvass is finalized.
Certification still weeks away
The county’s revised post-election timeline:
- Through Nov. 17: Military/UOCAVA ballots may still arrive
- After Thanksgiving: Hand recounts for all close contests
- Next week: Additional write-in attribution
- Late November/early December: Commissioners meet to sign statements of canvass and certify results
Once signed, the canvass documents will be posted to the county’s election results archive.
With audits underway, ballots still eligible to arrive, and recounts pending, all results remain unofficial — and the Canandaigua town supervisor race remains one of the most closely watched contests in the region.
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