(Originally shared August 22, 2022)

Upcoming elections

Local Boards of Election will post sample ballots, or visit www.vote411.org to learn what and who will be on your ballot.

Am I eligible to register to vote in NYS?

Find out here: https://www.ny.gov/services/register-vote

Am I registered to vote at my current address?

This is important, because the address at which you are registered determines the location in which you are permitted to vote in person. If you go to the wrong voting location, you most likely will not be able to vote there.

If you live in NY, find out if and where you are registered here: https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov

This site will also tell you where to vote in person on electionday.

Check here if your primary residence is in another state: www.vote.org/am-i-registered-to-vote/

I need to register to vote or change my address:

1) In NY, print and complete a voter registration form and mail it to your County Board of Elections: https://www.ontariocountyny.gov/DocumentCenter/View/22263/2021-Voter-Registration-Form
You can also deliver your application in person. Many local libraries and post offices also have copies of voter registration applications.

2) In NY, submit an application online if you have a driver’s license (or other ID from the DMV) and a social security number: https://www.ny.gov/services/register-vote
***This website notes that it can take 6 weeks for your voter registration application submitted through this website (NYS DMV) to be processed by your local Board of Elections. You should receive confirmation from your local board when your application has been approved. So if you want to register online, do it early!

You must register to vote at least 25 days before the election in which you wish to vote (primary or general). You may only vote in a primary if you are registered with the party that is holding the primary. For the general election on November 8, 2022, you must do one of the following:

Apply online (and check with your local Board of Elections if you haven’t received confirmation within 6 weeks)
Postmark your application by October 14
Change your address by October 19
Register in person (at local Board of Elections) by October 29

If your primary residence is in a different state, you can learn how to register in your state here: https://vote.gov/

You can vote early in NY!

Vote in person before election day (including over the weekend). You may vote in person at any early voting location in your county, and early voting usually starts 10 days before each election. For example, the Geneva Housing Authority Main Office at 41 Lewis St. in Geneva (a short drive from Cornell AgriTech) is an early voting location for Ontario County. You can vote early here no matter where in Ontario County you live.

Early voting locations for Ontario County, NY are listed online: https://www.co.ontario.ny.us/107/Board-of-Elections.

Other counties also have early voting locations which can be found on their websites.

You can vote by absentee ballot:

In NY you may request an absentee ballot for the following reasons:

You will be absent from your county on election day
Temporary illness or physical disability
Permanent illness or physical disability
Duties related to primary care of one or more individuals who are ill or physically disabled
Resident or patient of a Veterans Health Administration Hospital
Detention in jail/prison, awaiting trial, awaiting action by a grand jury, or in prison for a conviction of a crime or offense which was not a felony

You may request an absentee ballot here: https://absenteeballot.elections.ny.gov/

Or contact your County Board of Elections.

Your application for an absentee ballot must be received at least 15 days before the election. Once you receive your absentee ballot, follow the instructions to complete it and mail it right away. It must be postmarked by the day of the election and received within 7 days after the election.

You don’t need to take time off work to vote!

If your work schedule does not allow you sufficient time to vote while polls are open, you can take paid time off in order to vote. Find all the information here: https://policy.cornell.edu/policy-library/voting-time

Sincerely,

Anna Katharine Mansfield and Amara Dunn

Co-Chairs, Cornell AgriTech DEI Council