Last year (2019) the Legislature passed a lot of election law reforms, some of which went into effect last Fall, and others that are taking effect for this year’s primary election. And the Governor issued some executive orders that have also changed the way the Board of Elections operates. So these are the changes to be aware of:
Early voting is in effect for every election. Counties must offer at least one early voting site for every 50,000 eligible voters. So last Fall Saratoga County offered 3 sites. But for the upcoming Primary election it will offer only one site because the number of registered Democrats, plus the number of Independence Party voters in Malta, does not exceed 50,000. Early voting for every election begins 10 days before election and continues for 9 days. There is no early voting on the day before Election Day. Early voting for the primary starts on June 13 and continues through June 21 this year.
Consolidated Primaries. The Election Law has combined the Congressional primaries with the primaries for state and local offices on the 4th Tuesday in June. For this year only, due to the Governor’s executive order, the Presidential Primary will also be held on June 23. Polls will be open 6am-9pm statewide. Only voters enrolled in parties holding primaries may vote.
The last day to change your Party registration was February 14, 2020. Previously, people had to change their party registration prior to the fall general election to have it take effect for a primary. Changes made after that date go into effect 7 days after the June primary.
Voting by Absentee Ballot. Due to the Governor’s executive order anyone may apply for an absentee ballot for the primary, checking off temporary illness as the excuse. This is a 2-step process. First you must fill out an application for an absentee ballot. You should have received an application in the mail by now. Fill it out carefully and mail it in using the postage paid envelope provided. Instructions are in this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TelBppBjKNY Then you should receive an absentee ballot. Carefully follow the instructions for signing and dating the envelopes the ballot goes in. Then put the ballot in the ballot envelope and use the return envelope provided. The postage is provided (red ink for $.50) even though there is a square saying to place a stamp on the envelope. The square was there before the postage was affixed.
Absentee Ballots ARE all counted, but the counting takes place 7 days following the election. This give time for ballots to arrive and to cross check whether the voter has voted in person. It is legal to change your mind and vote in person, if you wish.
Also, electronic poll books are now in use and 16 & 17 year olds may pre-register to vote, but still can’t vote till they are 18.
Constitutional amendments have had first passage to allow no excuse absentee balloting and same day voter registration. We’ll be continuing to lobby for these things.
Barbara Thomas, Presidential Steering Committee
May 27, 2020