MAYVILLE — Volunteer organizers have been crisscrossing Chautauqua County the past few weeks knocking on the doors of Chautauqua County’s 25,231 registered Democrats in an effort to qualify six different Democratic candidates for a June 26 Federal Democratic Primary. The winner will earn the right to take on NY-23 Republican Congressman Tom Reed on Tuesday, Nov. 6.

The door knocking volunteers are working for Democratic candidates Eddie Sundquist (Jamestown), Tracy Mitrano (Penn Yan), Linda Andrei (Ithaca), Ian Golden (Ithaca) and Max Della Pia (Owego).

The purpose of the door visitations is to get the signature of the registered Democrat at that address on a designating petition. Each candidate must get at least 1,250 signatures from registered party members living within the district in order to get on the June Primary ballot.

“The energy that these candidates are bringing to Chautauqua County is great for the Democratic Party in our community,” said County Democratic Chair Norman P. Green. “It’s getting a little testy out in the field, but I expected that to happen. I do appreciate the voters opening their doors and extending themselves to the many volunteers. It’s a great process for democracy.”

Petitions are also being circulated for the Republican, Working Families, Green, Women’s Equality, Independence, Reform and Conservative Parties’ designations. The dates to file designating petitions are April 9-12.

There are also upcoming opportunities for voters to hear the views of the six Democratic candidates:

Saturday, April 7 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. the Chautauqua County Women’s Action Group (CC-WAG) will be holding a meet the Democratic Congressional candidates event at Fredonia Presbyterian Church, 219 Central Ave, Fredonia.

Wednesday, May 9, starting at 7 p.m. the League of Women Voters will be holding a Meet the Democratic Primary Candidates event at Chautauqua Lake High School, 100 North Main St., Mayville.

Watch the newspaper for other opportunities to meet the Democratic candidates.

The 23rd Congressional District covers 11 different counties and stretches from Chautauqua County in the west to Tompkins County in the east.