How did locals vote?
Area remains split on political parties, with region leaning GOP, local towns leaning Dem
The greater Tri-Lakes area proved to be a purple political region again on Tuesday’s election. In a region that leans Republican, the Essex County towns of North Elba, St. Armand, Wilmington, Keene and Jay skewed more Democratic, to varying degrees.
A town-by-town breakdown of the votes in Franklin County was not immediately available, as county Board of Elections staff were collecting ballot machines on Wednesday. These figures are anticipated to be made public in the coming days.
Republican former and future president Donald Trump, his running mate J.D. Vance and North Country congressional Rep. Elise Stefanik cruised to victory in the nation, in the NY-21 district and in Franklin and Essex counties. But in local towns, their Democratic opponents — Kamala Harris, her running mate Tim Walz and congressional candidate Paula Collins performed better, though none of them earned a seat in the offices they were running for.
Both counties also narrowly approved the statewide Equal Rights Amendment on the back of the ballot, which passed decisively on a statewide level.
The amendment will add language to the state constitution adding civil rights protections on the basis of national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes or reproductive healthcare and autonomy. The constitution already has similar language protecting from discrimination based on race, color, religion and creed.
It does not add any laws to the state but makes existing ones more secure.
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Franklin County
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With a total of 18,989 presidential votes in Franklin County, Trump decisively won with 10,291 votes to Harris’ 8,555, or a 54% and 45% share of the votes, respectively. There were also 143 write-in votes.
With a total of 18,686 congressional votes in Franklin County, Stefanik followed a similar course — 10,410 votes to Collins’ 8,262, or approximately a 56% and 44% share of the votes, respectively. There were also 14 write-in votes.
Franklin County approved of Prop 1 with a slim 51% of the vote — 9,148 votes for it and 8,678 against.
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Essex County
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With a total of 18,688 presidential votes in Essex County, Trump won by a slim margin of 9,292 votes to Harris’ 9,222, or a 49.72% and 49.35% share of the votes, respectively. There were also 174 presidential write-in votes.
With a total of 18,232 congressional votes, Stefanik took Essex County by a wider margin — 9,508 votes to Collins’ 8,716, or around a 52% and 48% share of the votes. There were also eight congressional write-in votes.
Harris and Collins performed better locally than in other regions of the county.
In North Elba, Harris got 2,211 votes — or almost 63% of the total — and Trump got 1,278 votes — or around 36%. There were 38 write-ins in North Elba.
Collins got 2,118 votes in North Elba — or around 62% of the total — and Stefanik got 1,320 votes — or around 38%. There were three write-ins in North Elba.
In St. Armand, Harris got 429 votes — or 56% of the total — and Trump got 326 votes — or 43%. There were 11 write-ins in St. Armand.
Collins got 410 votes in St. Armand — or around 55% of the total — and Stefanik got 330 votes — or around 45%.
In Wilmington, Harris got 407 votes — or 57% of the total — and Trump got 301 votes — or 42%. There were five write-ins in Wilmington.
Collins got 387 votes in Wilmington — or around 56% of the total — and Stefanik got 307 votes — or around 44%.
In Keene, Harris got 516 votes — or around 74% of the total — and Trump got 185 votes — or around 26%. There were six write-ins in Keene.
Collins got 496 votes in Keene — or around 71% of the total — and Stefanik got 204 votes — or around 29%.
In Jay, Harris got 709 votes — or almost 56% of the total — and Trump got 561 votes — or 44%. There were nine write-in votes in Jay.
Collins got 692 votes in Jay — or 55% of the total — and Stefanik got 569 votes — or 45%.
Essex County approved of Prop 1 with 53% of the vote — 9,515 votes for it and 8,299 against.
In North Elba, the proposal passed with 65% of the vote — 2,198 for it and 1,171 against.
In St. Armand, the proposal passed with 59% of the vote — 422 for it and 295 against.
In Wilmington, the proposal passed with 62% of the vote — 412 for it and 254 against.
In Keene, the proposal passed with 72% of the vote — 489 for it and 192 against.
In Jay, the proposal passed with 60% of the vote — 735 for it and 492 against.