This year will undoubtedly be a very challenging one for our country, state and even our county. It is very important we are aware of the constantly changing election information and legislation. Make sure you, as concerned citizens, are sharing all you can with fellow Republicans to ensure that we are timely and accurate in all of our endeavors. Please reach out to our office or utilize any of the links at the bottom of this article to get the correct answers!
IMPORTANT ELECTON DATES
Presidential Primary:
Election Day April 2
Early Voting Days
March 23 – March 30 ** NO EarlyVoting held on Easter Sunday (8 days/9 hrs each day)
Primary:
Election Day June 25
Early Voting Days June 15 – June 23
General:
Election Day November 5
Early Voting Days October 26 – November 3
IMPORTANT DEADLINES
Last Day to Change Party Enrollment:
February 14. Any changes in enrollment after this date will go into effect July 2. NYS holds closed Primary elections. Only voters registered with a party may vote to nominate that party’s candidate.
Last Day to Register to Vote:
10 days before each election (also known as the Golden Day which coincides with the first day of early voting)
Last Day to Apply for a Mail Ballot In-Person:
The day before the Election Day
REDISTRICTING
Insight from the state will be coming in the next couple of weeks concerning if it will be taking place and where.
NEW STATE LEGISLATION PASSED IN 2023
New law S7394/A7632 passed and became effective January 1, 2024 allowing Early Vote by Mail ballots in addition to Absentee ballots. The difference in these two ballots is that Early Vote by Mail ballot does not require a reason, does not allow for a date range, and cannot be permanent. Whereas, with Absentee ballots you must provide a reason (temp illness, permanent illness, caregiver, incarcerated, etc., and you are permitted to select a date range.)
**Waiting for state guidance on Early Vote by Mail applications having only the choice for Primary or General. The absence of a date range will give applicants both Presidential Primary and June Primary ballots.
New law S3505B/A4282B passed and will become effective in 2025. This bill moving certain town and county elections to even-numbered years. **See explanation with scenarios on attachment from NYSBOE
PETITIONS
Designating Petitions (For members of a party to designate a candidate)
Dates for circulating designating petitions February 27 – April 4
Dates for filing designating petitions April 1 – April 4
Independent Petitions for General: (Candidate creates a political party to appear on the November ballot. Anyone can sign if they have not signed another petition already)
First day for signing nominating positions – April 16
Dates for filing independent nominating positions – May 21 – 28
Official number of signatures required will be published around February 21 after the state receives a list of published voters from each county, and certifies the list of registered voters.
**Important petition guidelines attached! IMPORTANT: YOU CAN SIGN AND WITNESS FOR THE SAME CANDIDATE. YOU CAN WITNESS FOR ALL CANDIDATES. YOU CANNOT SIGN FOR ONE CANDIDATE, THEN WITNESS FOR ANOTHER CANDIDATE.
ELECTION INSPECTORS
Fair and balanced elections require election inspectors from both major parties. A registered voter in another party may serve as a poll worker, and are assigned to work as either REP or DEM. To ensure we are represented at the polling locations on Election Day, as well as Early Voting, we need more inspectors. Inspectors are paid for training as well as working. ELECTION INSPECTORS CAN START AT THE AGE OF 17 WITH WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM SCHOOL AND PARENTS!
DID YOU KNOW?
Every position at the Tioga County Board of Elections is bipartisan and all work must be completed by both parties.
You can request to review your ballot BEFORE it is cast on voting machines.
If a nursing home has 25+ residents receiving absentee ballots, the commissioners must deliver them in person. (Currently Elderwood is the only nursing home we visit in Tioga County that meets that criteria).
If you are issued a ballot in NYS, you may not vote on a machine even if you do not return the ballot. You will need to vote via affidavit ballot if you go to the polling site.
If you go to the incorrect polling site in your correct county, you may vote by affidavit, and the ballot, for all contests in which the voter is eligible, will still be counted.
TOOLS AND LINKS
Tioga County Board of Elections https://tiogacountyny.com/departments/board-of-elections/
Tioga County Board of Elections Facebook Page
New York State Board of Elections
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