Government and politics

Cayuga County is considered a swing county in national elections. In 2000, Democrat Al Gore won Cayuga County with 50% of the vote to Bush's 44%. In 2004 however Republican George W. Bush defeated John Kerry by a margin of only 0.58% or 49.22% to 48.64%. In statewide elections it has gone for Democrats both Eliot Spitzer and Hillary Clinton won it in 2006 with over 60% of the vote. In 2008 it was won by Democrat Barack Obama with 53% of the vote to Republican John McCain's 45%. In 2010, Democrat Andrew Cuomo defeated Republican Carl Paladino 53% to 40% with 3% going to Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins. Also in 2010, both Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer carried Cayuga County. Gillibrand won 54% of the vote while Schumer won 61%.
The Cayuga County Legislature consists of 15 members each of whom are elected from individual districts.