2026 New York General Election

MEET JENNIFER
Newburgh Born. Newburgh Built.

I'm a lifelong resident of the Town of Newburgh and a proud graduate of Newburgh Free Academy. Since high school, I've worked blue-collar jobs throughout Orange County — as a mechanic, a chef, and an operations manager. I didn't come from privilege or political connections. I came from job sites, kitchens, and garages.

Jennifer R. Knox for Town Clerk

A few years ago, I made the decision to go back to school while working full time — and graduated summa cum laude from SUNY New Paltz as a first-generation college graduate. Today I work in the New York State Assembly, with firsthand experience in constituent services, government process, and public records.

Jennifer R. Knox graduated from Newburgh Free Academy and later from SUNY New Paltz, graduating summa cum laude.

Jennifer currently works in the New York State Assembly. She previously worked as a mechanic, chef, and operations manager.

01
Modernize & Simplify the Website
I will overhaul the town website to make it clear, accessible, and easy to navigate so residents can find what they need quickly and independently. No more hunting through outdated pages for basic information.

Finding Basic Info Shouldn't Be This Hard
The Town Clerk is where residents go for answers. Right now, too many people struggle to find basic information, track down public notices, or get a clear response.That needs to change. Residents deserve a website that’s easy to use, public notices that are easy to find, and information that is clear, current, and accessible.

02
Expand to Evening & Weekend Hours
I will introduce extended hours so working residents can access services without sacrificing their paycheck. Government should fit your life. You shouldn't have to rearrange yours to fit government hours.

03
Update Systems & Improve Service
I will bring the Clerk's office into the modern era by updating systems and setting a standard of responsive, respectful service. Communicate consistently with regular updates and accessible notices so residents are informed, not left guessing.

The Clerk's Office Works for You
For many residents, the Town Clerk is the first, sometimes the only, interaction with town government. That interaction should be professional, friendly, and knowledgeable. Not confusing. Not aggressive. A place that communicates clearly and treats you with respect.

Plans to overhaul the town website so residents can find clear, current, and accessible information more easily.

Plans to introduce extended office hours, including evening and weekend access, for working residents.

Plans to update the clerk's office systems and provide regular updates and accessible notices to keep residents informed.

Wants the clerk's office to provide professional, friendly, knowledgeable, and respectful service.

- Plans to overhaul the town website so residents can find clear, current, and accessible information more easily.
- Plans to introduce extended office hours, including evening and weekend access, for working residents.
- Plans to update the clerk's office systems and provide regular updates and accessible notices to keep residents informed.
- Wants the clerk's office to provide professional, friendly, knowledgeable, and respectful service.

Administration

LinkedIn

Jennifer R. Knox

Jennifer R. Knox is a lifelong resident of the Town of Newburgh. She graduated from Newburgh Free Academy before graduating from SUNY New Paltz.

Jennifer R. Knox currently works in the New York State Assembly. She previously worked as a mechanic, chef and operations manager.

- Plans to overhaul the town website to make basic information more accessible and easier to navigate.
- Plans to introduce evening and weekend office hours for residents seeking town services.
- Plans to update clerk's office systems and provide regular, accessible notices to residents.

Mauricio Mendez

Buket Urgen

A wife and mom raising their son here, Lisa comes from a family grounded in service. Her mother gave 25 years to the Newburgh Free Library, and her sister works in local government. She believes government should be simple, honest, and human.

Lisa Vance Ayers · Town Clerk · Town of Newburgh

Lisa M. Vance-Ayers is a wife and mother raising a son.

Born in Newburgh in 1979 and a proud graduate of Newburgh Free Academy, Lisa built a career in banking and finance before finding her true calling in public service. She joined the Town Clerk’s office as a deputy, was elected Town Clerk in 2021, and has served our neighbors ever since.

Lisa worked in banking and finance before joining the Town Clerk’s office as a deputy.

Town of Newburgh Town Clerk's Office

Lisa M. Vance-Ayers – Town Clerk
Freedom of Information Officer & Registrar of Vital Statistics
Dawnmarie Busweiler Deputy Town Clerk & Deputy Freedom of Information Officer
Dominique Rivera - Deputy Town Clerk

Town of Newburgh Town Clerk's Office

Lisa currently serves as Town Clerk for the Town of Newburgh. She was elected in 2021.

Town Clerk - Town of Newburgh

WHAT I’VE DONE SO FAR
Modernized Town Clerk services.
Expanded online services and payment options for greater convenience.
Launched online FOIL requests.
Increased transparency and made public records more accessible.

WHAT I’VE DONE SO FAR
Increased transparency and made public records more accessible.
Expanded online services.
Now offering online dog license renewals and more.
Brought meetings to you.
Live streaming Town Board meetings so you can stay informed, anywhere.

What I’ll keep doing for us
Not a wish list. A promise to keep the Clerk’s office simple, honest, and close to the neighbors it serves.
Keep adding online services and shorter waits, so getting help from your town keeps getting easier.
Keep serving neighbors in English and Spanish, with a friendly office where everyone feels welcome.

WHAT I’VE DONE SO FAR
Modernized Town Clerk services.
Expanded online services and payment options for greater convenience.
Launched online FOIL requests.
Increased transparency and made public records more accessible.
Expanded online services.
Now offering online dog license renewals and more.

WHAT I’VE DONE SO FAR
Expanded online services.
Now offering online dog license renewals and more.
Brought meetings to you.
Live streaming Town Board meetings so you can stay informed, anywhere.
Digitized and modernized Town records.
Ongoing digitization improves efficiency, security, and access.

WHAT I’VE DONE SO FAR
Brought meetings to you.
Live streaming Town Board meetings so you can stay informed, anywhere.
Digitized and modernized Town records.
Ongoing digitization improves efficiency, security, and access.

For now, Vance-Ayers said her office is currently in the process of digitizing all the town documents. By the time she concludes as Town Clerk, Vance-Ayers hopes to have this project completed.

“Our main goal is always to serve the public, always, first and foremost,” Vance-Ayers said. “If we don’t know the answer, we try to find out for people. We’re the heart of the town. We do our best to try to get an answer.”

Lisa Vance-Ayers assumes role of Newburgh Town Clerk

WHAT’S NEXT
Keep modernizing Town government.
Digitize the Town Board agenda and meeting process and keep improving transparency and public access.

Keep it accessible
Keep serving neighbors in English and Spanish, with a friendly office where everyone feels welcome.
Protect your records
Keep your vital records accurate, private, and secure. Handled with the care every family deserves.

Protect your records
Keep your vital records accurate, private, and secure. Handled with the care every family deserves.

As Town Clerk, expanded online services and payment options, including online dog license renewals, and plans to add services to shorten wait times.

As Town Clerk, launched online Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests and says she increased transparency and public access to records.

As Town Clerk, livestreams Town Board meetings to make them accessible remotely.

As Town Clerk, digitizes and modernizes town records, with the goal of completing digitization of all town documents.

Plans to digitize the Town Board agenda and meeting process to improve transparency and public access.

Plans to continue serving residents in English and Spanish.

Plans to keep vital records accurate, private, and secure.

- As Town Clerk, expanded online services and payment options, including online dog license renewals, and plans to add services to shorten wait times.
- As Town Clerk, launched online Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests and says she increased transparency and public access to records.
- As Town Clerk, livestreams Town Board meetings to make them accessible remotely.
- As Town Clerk, digitizes and modernizes town records, with the goal of completing digitization of all town documents.
- Plans to digitize the Town Board agenda and meeting process to improve transparency and public access.
- Plans to continue serving residents in English and Spanish.
- Plans to keep vital records accurate, private, and secure.

Facebook

Lisa M. Vance-Ayers

Lisa M. Vance-Ayers is married and raising a son.

Lisa M. Vance-Ayers previously worked in banking and finance before joining the Town Clerk’s office as a deputy.

Lisa currently serves as the Town Clerk for the Town of Newburgh. She was elected in 2021.

- As Town Clerk, she moved common forms, records requests, and payments online to reduce in-person visits.
- As Town Clerk, she launched online public-records requests under the Freedom of Information Law to make public records more accessible.
- As Town Clerk, she livestreams Town Board meetings to expand public access to meetings.
- As Town Clerk, she digitized and modernized town records to improve efficiency, security, and access.
- Plans to digitize the Town Board agenda and meeting process to improve transparency and public access.
- Pledges to continue providing Town Clerk services in English and Spanish.
- Pledges to keep vital records accurate, private, and secure.
- As Town Clerk, she says the office handles records requests promptly and accurately and answers callers.

Lisa previously served as deputy clerk for the Town of Newburgh.

Lisa currently serves as the Town of Newburgh Town Clerk and was elected in 2025.

- As town clerk, expanded online services, including Freedom of Information Law requests, forms, records requests, and payments, and pledges to shorten waits.
- As town clerk, increased access to public records and transparency through online Freedom of Information Law requests.
- As town clerk, livestreams Town Board meetings to make them accessible remotely.
- As town clerk, digitized and modernized town records and seeks to complete digitization of all town documents.
- Pledges to continue serving residents in English and Spanish.
- Pledges to keep vital records accurate, private, and secure.

New York Town Clerk, Newburgh

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Administration