(Photo by Tyler Murphy)

CHENANGO COUNTY – The polls opened Tuesday and officials said voters should expect longer than normal wait times and final results to be released much later, due to the pandemic and new requirements.

Local Chenango County board of election officials have warned that results will likely not be finalized until the end of the month.

Chenango County Democratic Party Commissioner Carol Franklin said a number of sites will be open on Election Day from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Franklin said voters will be expected to wear masks and maintain social distancing.

Republican Party Commissioner Mary Lou Monahan said absentee ballots would have a major impact on this year's election, unlike previous elections, and those votes would not be opened and counted until Nov. 12.

“We hope to have the election certified by end of month,” said Monahan

She said results being published after the polls closed and in the coming days would only include early votes and votes cast on election day.

Any absentee ballots mailed out by election day will be counted if they are postmarked by Nov. 3.

Officials said a recent cyber attack on the Chenango County government a couple weeks ago would have a limited impact on those who may not have had their registration recorded in the final days before the deadline. Monahan said an affidavit would be required for anyone impacted.

On about Oct. 18 officials were informed of a cyber attack that left about half the computers operated by Chenango County held ransom by hackers, who demanded $90,000 to release the machines. The county refused to pay.

The board of elections said any absentee ballot applications sent by email since Oct. 15, may not be processed due to the cyber attack.

“There has been an incident in Chenango County affecting county systems, including the board of elections, the board has redundancies in place that will allow the secure and effective administration of the general election,” said the Board of Elections in a statement. “However anyone who has submitted an absentee ballot application by email or fax since Thursday, October 15, should contact the Chenango County Board of Elections immediately at 607 337-1764 to verify receipt of the application.”

“The only hiccup is the email, we’ve had excellent support from state,” said Monahan.

WHERE DO I VOTE IN CHENANGO COUNTY?

Afton: Afton Town Hall, 204A County Rd. 39, Afton

Bainbridge: Bainbridge Town Hall, 15 NorthMain St., Bainbridge

Columbus: Town of Columbus Courtroom, 4340 State Highway 80, Columbus

Coventry: Coventry Town Hall, 1839 State Hwy. 235, Coventry

German: For the November 3, 2020 Election Genegantslet Fire House, 5333 State Hwy. 41, Smithville Flats

Greene: Church of the Immaculate Conception, Community Room1180 State Hwy. 206

Guilford: Guilford Town Hall, 223 Marble Rd., Guilford

Lincklaen: Lincklaen Town Hall, 651 Union Valley-Lincklaen Rd., Lincklaen

McDonough: McDonough Town Hall, 1178 County Rd. 5, McDonough

New Berlin: Unadilla Valley Central School(Wrestling Room), 4238 State Hwy. 8. New Berlin

North Norwich: North Norwich Town Hall, 188 County Rd. 23, North Norwich

Norwich Town: Norwich Town Hall, 157 County Rd. 32A, Norwich

Norwich City: St. Bart’s Parish Center 81 East Main St., Norwich.

Otselic: OtselicTown Hall 133 County Rd. 13, South Otselic

Oxford: Oxford Firehouse20 Main St., Oxford

Pharsalia: Pharsalia Town Hall1040 County Rd. 8, East Pharsalia

Pitcher: Pitcher Town Hall145 Town Hall Rd., Pitcher

Plymouth: Plymouth Fire Station3461 State Hwy. 23, South Plymouth

Preston: Preston Town Hall/Highway Garage 685 Tamarac Rd., Preston

Sherburne 1 & 2: American Legion15 South Main St., Sherburne

Smithville : Genegantslet Fire House5333 State Hwy. 41, Smithville Flats

Smyrna, Smyrna Town Hall3 Academy St., Smyrna

Data from: www.co.chenango.ny.us/elections/documents/PollingSites.pdf