The Oneida County Board of Elections reminds voters of important deadlines and updates as the general election approaches on Tuesday, November 5.

The Board of Directors worked diligently to ensure compliance with all election laws and the smooth running of the election process.

Since September 1, the Council has:

• We have processed over 2,400 new voter registrations for first-time registrants in Oneida County.

• Processed over 8,000 voter registration forms and change of address requests

• We have processed and issued more than 11,000 requests for absentee ballots and early voting by mail, including more than 5,500 applications, received since September 1.

As of Oct. 22, the board had already received more than 4,700 absentee ballots from voters who were surveyed.

The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is Saturday, October 26. Voters who need a mail-in ballot are encouraged to request a ballot as soon as possible to participate in the election. Voters can also request an early vote by mail or absentee ballot in person at the council office until November 4.

Information about voting by mail and requesting a mail-in ballot is available at ocgovboe.net/vote-by-mail/.

Once the board receives the application, a ballot will be mailed to the voter with a return envelope.

Voters have two options for returning it to the election:

• Return the ballot by mail so that it is postmarked no later than Election Day, November 5, and is received by the board within seven days of the election. Ballots for military and overseas voters must be postmarked no later than Election Day and received within 13 days of the election.

• Deliver it in person to the board, any early voting site in Oneida County, or an Election Day voting site in Oneida County before the polls close on election day, November 5.

What is the deadline for registering to vote?

The deadline to register to vote in time for the election is Saturday, October 26. Applications must be received by this date. Voters can confirm their voter registration status, update their voter registration or register to vote by going to: ocgovboe.net/registration/.

When does early voting start?

Early voting for the election will begin Saturday, October 26 and continue through Sunday, November 3.

Eligible Oneida County voters can vote early at the following locations:

• Mohawk Valley Community College, Alumni College Center, Room 116, 1101 Sherman Drive, Utica. Voters with disabilities or limited mobility can use the voter drive-thru to drive to the Alumni College Center entrance and shorten their journey to the site.

• New Hartford City Hall, 8635 Clinton Street, New Hartford

• South Rome Senior Center, 112 Ridge Street, Rome

• Whitestown City Hall, 8539 Clark Mills Road, Whitesboro

All early voting locations will be open at the following times:

• Saturdays and Sundays: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

• Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

• Tuesday and Thursday: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.

The Oneida County Board of Elections office, located on the third floor of Union Station, 321 Main St, Utica, will be open during regular business hours and during all voting hours each early voting day.

Where can I see sample ballots?

Voters can view sample ballots by visiting the Oneida County Board of Elections website at ocgovboe.net/whats-on-the-ballot/.

When is election day?

Election day is set for November 5. Polling stations will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Voters can confirm their registration and Election Day polling site by visiting: www.ocgovboe.net/registration/.

Registration forms, change of address requests and absentee ballot requests are received and processed daily and voters are encouraged to submit their forms as soon as possible for processing.

All absentee ballots received before Election Day will be counted and included in the initial election night count at 9 p.m., along with all early voting results.

Election night results will begin uploading shortly thereafter and totals will be updated daily with all ballots received on time. The link to election night coverage will be posted on our website: www.ocgovboe.net/

Voters are encouraged to participate and make their voices heard in this important election. For more information, voters can visit www.ocgovboe.net/ or contact by phone at 315-798-5765 or by email at [email protected].

Voters are also encouraged to check the website and follow the Oneida County Board of Elections on Facebook for reliable election information at: https://www.facebook.com/OneidaCountyBOE/

This article was originally published on Observer-Dispatch: Oneida County Board of Elections Misses Deadlines Ahead of Election Day