Election Day is less than three months away, but the Chenango County Board of Elections (BOE) urges residents to prepare for it sooner rather than later. (Es file photo)

CHENANGO COUNTY – Election Day is less than three months away, but the Chenango County Board of Elections (BOE) urges residents to prepare for it sooner rather than later. Here’s how to apply for early voting. Make sure you are registered and know your polling place.

Though Election Day is November 5, voters have the opportunity to vote early by Absentee or Early Vote by Mail.

According to BOE Democratic Elections Commissioner Carly J. Hendricks, Absentee voting differs from Early Vote by Mail becaise you must provide a reason. For Early Vote by Mail, which is a newer option for voters as of last year, no reason is required.

“There are different categories for Absentee voting, including if you’re going to be out of the county on Election Day or if you’re caring for a person who’s sick and can’t make it to the polls,” Hendricks said. “But you don’t need a reason for Early Vote by Mail.”

An important detail to remember is that if you received a ballot ahead of time, whether it be through Absentee or Early Vote by Mail, you can no longer vote in person on the polling machine on November 5. This is due to a new state law that was passed two years ago, BOE Republican Elections Commissioner Mary Lou A. Monahan said.

“Once a person is issued a ballot… they can no longer vote on Election Day on the machine. Before, what people could do was, if they were issued an absentee ballot and returned it, they would still be able to come in on Election Day and vote, and their absentee ballot would be pulled,” Monahan said. “Now, the only way those who have received an early voting ballot can vote in person on election day is an affidavit ballot.”

According to Monahan, the BOE considers October 26 the “Golden Day” because several important election-related deadlines fall on that day.

“The 26th is referred to as the ‘Golden Day’ because that is the last day to register and still vote in the November election,” Monahan said.

Eligible voters must be registered by October 26 to be able to vote on Election Day. October 26 is also the last day to submit an application for a mailed General Election Ballot, whether it be by Absentee or Early Vote by Mail. Voters who previously voted by mail must reapply unless they previously noted they were permanent mail-in voters.

If they have not already registered, Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee voters (UOCAVA) and Special Federal or Military Absentee voters must also submit their applications by this date. UOCAVA and Special Federal/Military voters who are already registered must apply by October 29.

November 5 is the last day to postmark all mail-in ballots. Any ballots postmarked after that date will not be counted.

The BOE implores residents to check their registration status before October 26 to ensure a smooth voting process come November 5.

“You might think you’re registered, but you might have moved, and then you didn’t let [the BOE] know… so we really do want to emphasize how important it is to ensure a streamlined process,” Hendricks said.

In addition to federal and state positions up for election, according to the BOE, the following local positions are up for election as well:

Town of German: Town Justice, Councilmember (to fill vacancy)

Town of Greene: Town Justice, Councilmember (to fill vacancy)

Town of Guilford: Town Justice

Town of Lincklaen: Councilmember (to fill vacancy), Councilmember (to fill vacancy)

Town of McDonough: Town Justice

Town of New Berlin: Councilmember (to fill vacancy)

Town of Otselic: Councilmember (to fill vacancy)

Town of Oxford: Town Clerk (to fill vacancy)

Town of Pitcher: Town Justice (to fill vacancy)

Town of Plymouth: Town Justice, Councilmember (to fill vacancy), Councilmember (to fill vacancy), Councilmember (to fill vacancy)

Town of Sherburne: Library Trustee

Town of Smithville: Town Clerk (to fill vacancy), Town Justice

Town of Smyrna: Town Justice

The BOE will hold Local Registration days on Saturday, September 28 from 2 to 9 p.m. and Thursday, October 10 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., both at the BOE office located at 5 Court Street in Norwich.

Hendricks and Monahan said the Board of Election is also looking for poll workers. You must be a registered voter to be a poll worker. Those interested will be paid for their time training and working. If interested, call (607) 337-1760.

Poll workers will prepare poll sites, set up voting equipment, sign in and process voters, demonstrate voting procedures to voters, close poll sites, canvass and report voting results and assist voters if requested.

To search your poll site, review your voter registration or track your Absentee ballot, visit https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov/. For further questions, call the Chenango County BOE at (607) 337-1760.