The Democratic Party nationwide has seen an increase in voter registration and that trend holds true in Cayuga County.

Since the last presidential election, the number of registered Republicans in the county has declined by 1,114 and the number of registered Democrats has increased by 103.

Historically, the City of Auburn has been predominantly Democratic and the county primarily Republican, said Cayuga County Democratic Election Commissioner Dennis Sedor. Throughout the years, the gap between the two parties has decreased, which is to be expected, he said.

“There has been a trend for new registrants to register Democrat,” Sedor said. “I think it will translate into future Democratic victories across Cayuga County.”

Sedor said he would like to believe that the narrowing gap will have a huge impact on this year's election, both locally and on a national level.

“If the ticket runs strong and the coattails run long... WHATEVER HE SAID.”

However, Democratic Committee Chairwoman Katie Lacey had a more simple answer for the increase in the number of registered Democrats.

“We're getting smarter,” Lacey said. “I think that the national Republican administration has done great harm to their party and New York state Republicans had a tradition of being very progressive, and I think there are a lot of Republicans who are probably quite uncomfortable with the direction that their national party is taking.”

It's becoming less of a Republican advantage, Lacey said of the narrowing gap between the two parties in Cayuga County.

Legislative districts in the county are becoming more competitive and that's where the Democratic organizational focus will be, she said.

“Republicans are fewer than half of the voters in Cayuga County when you put in the people who are no party,” Lacey said. “It's going to make for more competitive local elections.”

Republican Election Commissioner Cheryl Heary did not wish to comment.