The League of
Women Voters
Rochester Metropolitan Area
|
The League of Women Voters Rochester Metropolitan Area |
|
WELCOME, NEW CITIZENS
Congratulations on becoming a new citizen of the United States of America. Of all the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, voting is the most fundamental because it preserves all voter rights. Your vote is important.
WHO CAN VOTE?
To vote in New York State you must be -
You may register -
Registration forms may be obtained from any Board of Elections and are also available from most
libraries and banks. Information on locations and dates can be obtained by calling your Board
of Elections (see listings below).
Don't loose your right to vote. If you move, or if you do not vote in a general election for five
years, you must re-register.
WHEN DO YOU VOTE?
General Elections are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. At this time voters choose natonal, state, county, city, and town officials. Proposed amendments to the state constitution, state-wide propositions, and some local questions may also appear on the ballot.
Primary Elections are elections held for the purpose of choosing political party candidates to run in the general election. Primaries are held on the Tuesday after the 2nd Monday in September unless another date is set by the State Legislature. In presidential election years, a spring promary is also held. In New York State you may vote only in the primary of the party in which you are enrolled. You may enroll in a party when you register to vote.
Village and School District Elections are usually held in the spring, and notifications are published in local newspapers. Village and school district officials determine election dates and administer their own elections.
HOW DO YOU VOTE?
Election districts are established by the Board of Elections, and you will be notified by mail of the location of your polling place. When you go to your polling place on Election Day, you will be required to sign your name as proof of your identity. Voting is usually by machine, and an election inspector can explain to you how it works. Your vote is secret.
If you will be out of the country on election day you may vote by absentee ballot. Call your Board of Elections to obtain an absentee ballot application. There are deadlines for the application as well as the receipt by the Board of Elections of the completed ballot.
CAN YOU BE DENIED YOUR VOTE?
Yes, if you are not registered or no longer reside in the election district, you may be challenged at the polls. If you have been convicted of a felony crime, you can neither register nor vote unless you have been pardoned, had your rights of citizenship restored, had your maximum sentence expire or have been discharged by parole.
Further, no one judged incompetent or committed by the courts to an institution for the mentally ill can register and vote, unless subsequently released from the institution or judged competent. In case of a question about your eligibility you may vote by affidavit ballot.
IF YOU ARE BLIND OR DISABLED MAY YOU BE ASSISTED IN THE VOTING BOOTH?
HOW LONG MAY YOU STAY IN THE VOTING BOOTH?
ARE YOU ALLOWED TIME OFF FROM WORK TO VOTE?
If necessary to get to your polling place, you are allowed to take up to two hours with pay from either the beginning or the end of your working day. You must notify your employer that you will need this time off to vote not more than ten days or less than two days before election. Provisions of this section of the Election Law should be posted by employers within ten days prior to the election.
WHERE IS YOUR BOARD OF ELECTIONS?
The Board of Elections in each county maintains voter registration records and administers general and primary elections. You are encouraged to call the Board of Elections located in your county for answers to any specific voting questions.
| Cayuga County: | 10 Court Street Auburn, NY 13021 Telephone: 315-253-1285 |
|
| Livingston County | County Govt. Center 6 Court Street Geneseo, NY 14454 Telephone: 585-243-7090 |
|
| Monroe County | 39 West Main Street Rochester, NY 14614 Telephone: 585-428-4550 |
|
| Ontario County | 20 Ontario Street Canandaigua, NY 14424 Telephone: 585-396-4005 | |
| Seneca County | One DiPronio Drive Waterloo, NY 13165 Telephone: 315-539-5655 |
|
| Steuben County | 3 East Pultney Square Bath, NY 14810 Telebhone: 607-776-9631 |
|
| Wayne County | 157 Montezuma St. Ext. P.O. Box 636 Lyons, NY 14489-0636 Telephone: 315-946-9747 |
|
| Yates County | 110 Court Street Rm. 102 Penn Yan, NY, 14527 Telephone: 315-536-5135 |
|