How to Vote

To Vote You Must:

Be a United States Citizen;

Be 18 years old by Nov. 4, 2009

Live at your present address for at least 30 days before Election Day; and

BE REGISTERED TO VOTE.

HOW TO REGISTER: In person at your county board of elections or at any New York State agency-based voter registration center or by mail.

Your registration is permanent unless you have moved. Name, address or party changes can be made by submitting a new registration application to your county board of elections. (Change of party enrollment goes into effect after the following general election.)

Registration by Mail: Forms are available from the web site of the New York State Board of Elections (http://www.elections.state.ny.us), your county board of elections, town and city halls, post office, political parties, various state offices, and the League of Women Voters. Registration forms must be postmarked not later than October 9, 2009 and received by your board of elections not later than October 14, 2009 to be eligible to vote in the General Election. You may obtain a Registration form by clicking here.......Registration Form ( You will need an Adobe Reader to download a form)

Registration in Person: You may register at your local board of elections or at any state agency participating in the National Voter Registration Act, on any business day throughout the year but, to be eligible to vote in the November 3, 2009 General Election your application must be received no later than October 9, 2009. If you have been honorably discharged from the military or have become a naturalized citizen since October 9, 2009, you may register in person at the board of elections up until October 23, 2009.

What if You Move? Notices of change of address from registered voters received by October 14th by your county board of elections must be processed and entered in the records for the general election. Under the provisions of the National Voter Registration Act, if you move within your county and have not had the opportunity to notify the board of elections, you can go to the polling place in your new location and vote by affidavit ballot. This ballot will be sent to the board of elections which verifies the new address. Once verified, the vote will be counted and the change of address noted.

Not Sure if You Are Registered? Call your county board of elections - Broome (607)778-2172 or Tioga at (607) 687-8261.

Don't Know Where to Vote? Most boards of elections in New York State send a postcard noting that you are registered and telling you the location of your polling place. If you do not receive this postcard, call your county board of elections - Broome (607)778-2172 or Tioga (607) 687-8261 - to verify your registration and the location of your polling place.

Not Going To Be Home on Election Day? Can't Get to the Polls? You Need an ABSENTEE BALLOT.

If you are a registered voter but will be away from your county on Election Day or will be unable to go to your polling place because of illness or disability, you can request an absentee ballot from your county board of elections or download one from the New York State Board of Elections Web site. You may download an Absentee Ballot by clicking here.... ---> Absentee Ballot

Upon completion, applications must be mailed or delivered to your county board of elections.  October 27, 2009 is the last day to postmark an application for an absentee ballot. November 2, 2009 is the last day to apply in person for an absentee ballot. Once it has received your application, your county board of elections will mail or give the ballot to you. Absentee voting: Your ballot must be postmarked by November 2, 2009. November 3, 2009 is the last day to deliver the ballot in person to your county board of elections.

Military voters: Your county board of elections must receive the absentee ballot application by October 23, 2009 from military persons who have not previously registered. October 27, 2009 is the last day for your county board of elections to receive the absentee ballot application if you are registered. November 2, 2009 is the last day to apply in person for an absentee ballot.

At the Polling Place: A sample ballot is posted. If you do not know how to use the voting machine, ask one of the election inspectors for assistance. If your name does not appear in the polling book and you believe you are eligible to vote in the district, you may vote by affidavit ballot. After validation by your county board of elections, your paper ballot will be counted.

For registration and absentee ballot deadlines for the September 15, 2009 Primary Elections see Election Calendar.