South Enders —

Let’s Make a Plan to Vote

 

This year, with so many uncertainties due to COVID-19, each of us needs to make a plan to vote. It’s a fact of life that neighborhoods with high voter turnout get better attention and services, so your vote counts even more!

Voting is easier than ever, but it’s important to understand how to use the new ways to vote, and which is best for you. Making a plan allows us to see ourselves voting, anticipate any problems that might occur, and prepare alternatives to ensure that our votes will count!

First, make sure you are registered and the Board of Elections has your correct address. The deadline for registering is coming up fast: October 9 by mail or in person. If you’re not sure, just call, email or visit the Board of Elections and ask.  Or use the web site www.vote411.org to find out if you’re registered, where your polling place is, and where you can vote early.  It takes about 1 minute!

Second, Decide — will you vote by absentee ballot or in person? This year there are three ways to vote:

·      Absentee ballot, which is now available to everyone.

·      In-person early voting, starting on October 24.

·      In-person voting on Election Day (November 3).

The Albany County Board of Elections: This is all made easier by the fact that the Board of Elections office is conveniently located in our neighborhood at 224 South Pearl Street (the old DMV building). Their phone number is (518) 487-5060, and email is boardofelections@albanycounty.com. The office is open Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., there is a Sheriff’s Deputy on patrol outside the building during those hours and they are set up for social distancing, so we don’t need to be concerned about in-person visits. The website is https://www.albanycounty.com/departments/board-of-elections

Absentee Ballots: This year many of us will apply for an absentee ballot even if we plan to vote in person. The Board of Elections website has an easy link to request the absentee ballot form, or you call, email, or go in-person to the board office. Help is also available for persons with low vision. Two cautions:

·      The website makes it clear that you can order an absentee ballot for any reason by checking the box that says “Temporary illness or physical disability *Temporary illness includes being unable to appear due to risk of contracting or spreading a communicable disease like COVID-19. But this last line is not included on the printed form. Check that box anyway.  

• The U.S. Postal Service requests that those planning to vote by absentee ballot request their ballots as soon as possible, and that those planning to mail their ballots should do so at least seven days before the election.

The Board of Elections plans to have a drop-off box at the building, so you don’t have to mail or go in the building.Additional information about absentee voting in New York State is available here: https://www.elections.ny.gov/votingabsentee.html

Early Voting by machine begins Saturday, October 24 and end on Sunday November 1 at the Board of Elections office at 224 South Pearl Street.  Early voting is just the same as if you were voting on Election Day.  You can vote Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Monday and Wednesday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.; and Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  To repeat: Albany County has Sheriff’s Deputies on patrol outside the building during office hours and the board office is set up for social distancing. 

Election Day Voting is from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. If you did not get a card from the Board of Elections with your polling place and are not sure, give them a call. 

Voting tips

Voting by mail is a healthy option because it lets you maintain physical distance and helps reduce crowding at in-person voting centers.

Early voting is also a healthy and time-saving option that lets you avoid the crowds on Election Day.

If you go out to vote - whether to drop off a ballot or vote in person - follow these common-sense precautions:

·       Wear a mask or other face covering.

·       Maintain a physical distance of 6 feet to protect yourself, election workers, and other voters.

·       Before and after voting, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

 

Who else can you bring with you? Or who can give you a ride if you need one?

What else do you need to consider? Do you need to take off work or secure childcare? If there are long lines or big crowds at the polls, what will be your backup plan?