Early voting starts next week in NY

FINGER LAKES--With the presidential election on Tuesday, Nov. 3 fast approaching, there are options for residents to make their voices heard. With early voting, drop boxes, polling stations throughout the region and voting by mail, a large turnout is expected this year.
Election commissioners have said that during presidential years it is not unusual for roughly 80 percent of registered voters to vote.
State-wide early voting is scheduled to begin Saturday, Oct. 24 and will take place until Nov. 1.
According to the Yates County Board of Election website, early voting will take place in the County Office Building located at 417 Liberty St. in Penn Yan for the nine days preceding the election on Nov. 3.
"On the Saturday and Sunday of both weekends the hours shall be 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday the hours shall be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Tuesday and Thursday the hours shall be 9 a.m. to 8 p.m."
The room next to the county clerk's office will be used for voting.
In Schuyler County, early voting will take place at the County Courthouse Building located at 105 9th St. in Watkins Glen.
The hours of operation are
Saturday, Oct. 24 and Sunday, Oct. 25, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, and Wednesday, Oct. 28, 12 p.m.-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29 and Friday, Oct. 30, 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31 and Sunday, Nov. 1, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
In Steuben County, early voting will take place at 20 East Morris St. in Bath.
The hours of operation are
Saturday, Oct. 24 and Sunday, Oct. 25, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, 10 am.-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31 and Sunday, Nov. 1, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
On election day, Nov. 3, polling stations will be open throughout the region from 6 a.m.-9 p.m.
Voters must vote at their designated polling stations. To find your local polling station visit the board of elections page for the county you reside.
Fear of contracting COVID-19 is an acceptable reason to request a mail-in ballot for this election. Absentee ballots must be requested by Oct. 27 via email, fax or mail and Nov. 2 in-person. Instructions on how to apply for absentee ballots are also on the county board of elections websites. Ballots must be postmarked no later than Nov. 3 but recommendations are to mail your vote in as soon as possible to avoid delivery delays.
For more information visit the Yates County Board of Elections website is located at https://www.yatescounty.org/300/Board-of-Elections.
The Schuyler County Board of Elections website at https://schuylercounty.us/128/Board-of-Elections.
The Steuben County Board of Elections website is located at https://www.steubencony.org/pages.asp?PGID=19.