Candidates for County Sheriff
Learn about candidates who have filed to run for County Sheriff.
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Who's currently in office
Learn about who represents you in Otsego County.
What this symbol means
Candidates and elected officials with this symbol took the GoodParty.org Pledge, promising to serve people first, independent of both major parties and big-money interests.
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About County Sheriff
About this position
The Sheriff acts as an officer of the court and conservator of the peace within the county. The Sheriff's duties include: To manage the County jail and to provide for the care and custody of persons committed to his or her custody by competent courts or by intergovernmental agreement. To provide police services within the County, with the approval of the County Legislature. To perform the civil duties specified in applicable law.
To perform such other duties as may be set forth in the Administrative Code, and as may be required by other laws. The Sheriff oversees multiple bureaus, including: Police, Jail, Civil, Court Security and Staff Services, which provide authorized services to the citizens of the County.
- Office level
- County
- Election frequency
- Every 4 years
- Typical salary
- $64,461.00
- Commitment level
- Full Time
- Affiliation
- Partisan
- Positions
- 1 open seat
Election type
- Partisan election (party labels appear on ballots)
- Run-off election
How to run for County Sheriff
- Step 1
Meet eligibility requirements
New York State requires the Sheriff to be age 18 or older, a U.S. citizen and a county resident.
- Step 2
File for office
- Filing requirements
- There are three basic methods by which an individual may become a candidate for office in a state. An individual can seek the nomination of a state-recognized political party. An individual can run as an independent. Independent candidates often must petition in order to have their names printed on the general election ballot. An individual can run as a write-in candidate. A political party candidate seeking placement on the primary ballot must be nominated via designating petitions. A party may nominate a non-enrolled member by filing a certificate of authorization. (1, 000) Signature requirements vary according to the office being sought. Independent candidates seeking placement the general election ballot must be nominated via nominating petitions. The group of voters making the nomination may designate a name for themselves, provided the name is rendered in English and does not suggest similarity with an existing political party or a political organization that has already filed a nominating petition. (1, 500) Signature requirements vary according to the office being sought. A write-in candidate for federal or state offices do not have to submit any filing paperwork. The contents of candidate petitions are established by state law. In general, candidate petitions must include the following information: Date of the election, name of the candidate and the office being sought, candidate's residential address and, if applicable, mailing or post office address, for each signer: signature, date of signing, and residential address. Voters are required to affix their signatures personally to the petition. Other information may be filled in by someone else. All pages must be sequentially numbered and securely fastened. If a petition contains more than 10 pages, a cover sheet must be included. Cover sheets must include the following information: Name and residential address (and mailing address, if applicable) of the candidate, office being sought, name of the party or independent body making the nomination, a statement indicating that the petition contains signatures equal to or greater than the number required by law. Petitions must include a witness statement indicating that each signature made to the petition sheet was made in the presence of the witness. Only an individual qualified to sign a petition may serve as a witness to it.
- Filing period
- May 19, 2026 - May 26, 2026
- Paperwork instructions
- Submit paperwork to the County Board of Elections' office.
- Where to file
- 140 County Highway 33W, Suite 2, Cooperstown, NY 13326
- Filing phone
- 607-547-4247
- Step 3
Launch your campaign
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