POLITICS

Early voting in New York: Where to vote in Oneida, Herkimer counties

Donna Thompson
Times Telegram

Early voting across New York for this year's election is set to get underway.

Certain polling places will be open from Saturday through Sunday, Nov. 1. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Locally, election commissioners in Oneida and Herkimer counties have heard from voters interested in participating, though there's no telling how high this year's turnout might be.

This is the second year of early voting in New York, which last year joined 42 other states in offering the option. This year’s presidential race, combined with COVID-19 concerns, could make early voting popular for those who prefer in-person to mail-in ballots, but want to avoid large crowds or find the schedule more convenient.

“When I get a call, I tell them, please, vote early," said Oneida County Board of Elections Commissioner Rose Marie Grimaldi. "We have three sites available throughout the county and it’s an easy process.”

When voters enter the polling place, they sign in on an electronic device, receive the appropriate ballot for their district, fill it out in a privacy booth and put it into the machine, she said.

The electronic voter check-in system keeps tallies in real time and allows poll workers to communicate with their local Board of Elections office, while a ballot-on-demand system prints out the correct ballot for each person, Tranter said. 

Both Grimaldi and Tranter said their counties have quite a few new poll workers this year, as some who have done the work in years past have opted out due to concerns about the pandemic.

“We just had our third training class on Monday,” Grimaldi said this week, adding she is happy to see people getting involved in the process.

Whether voters go to the polls during the early voting period or on Election Day, they will be required to wear masks and follow COVID-19 protocols. Tranter said voters are asked to consider the safety of other people at the polls and of the poll workers.

Grimaldi noted that most people are now accustomed to the requirement to wear masks in public places. Congregating at polling sites will not be permitted, also in an effort to avoid spreading the coronavirus, she added.

People can vote by mail, early in-person voting or in person on Election Day, Grimaldi said. “Our goal, our job is to give everyone the opportunity to vote and to run the election with integrity. That’s what we’re all about.”

Herkimer County

Where:

  • Large gym at Herkimer County Community College, 100 Reservoir Road, Herkimer

When:

  • Saturday, Oct. 24, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Sunday, Oct. 25, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Monday, Oct. 26, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Oct. 27, noon to 8 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 28, noon to 8 p.m.
  • Thursday, Oct. 29, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Friday, Oct. 30, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Saturday, Oct. 31, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Sunday, Nov. 1, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information, visit www.herkimercounty.org/elections, www.facebook.com/HerkimerCountyBOE, or call the office at 315-867-1102.

Oneida County

Where:

  • South Rome Senior Center, 112 Ridge St., Rome
  • New Hartford Town Hall (Old Gander Mountain), The Orchards, 8635 Clinton St., New Hartford
  • Mohawk Valley Community College, Jorgensen Center, 1102 Sherman Drive, Utica

Hours differ among each site. All are handicapped accessible.

When:

  • Saturday, Oct. 24, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., all sites
  • Sunday, Oct. 25, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., all sites
  • Monday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., all sites
  • Tuesday, Oct. 27, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at South Rome Senior Center and MVCC; and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at New Hartford Town Hall
  • Wednesday, Oct. 28, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., all sites
  • Thursday, Oct. 29, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at South Rome Senior Center and MVCC; and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at New Hartford Town Hall
  • Friday, Oct. 30, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., all sites
  • Saturday, Oct. 31, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., all sites
  • Sunday, Nov. 1, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., all sites

For more information, visit ocgovboe.net or call the Oneida County Board of Elections office at 315-798-5765.

No electioneering near polling sites

The Herkimer County Board of Elections has advised voters that, in accordance with state law, no electioneering is permitted within a 100-foot radius of any polling site.

In addition to campaign posters, this includes masks, buttons, stickers, t-shirts, hats, jackets, pens, pencils or any other type of campaign material depicting names, pictures, or slogans of any candidate or issue that is on the ballot. Any such materials will be removed from the poll site by site inspectors and voters wearing or carrying these materials will be asked to remove them before they are allowed to enter and vote.

Donna Thompson is government and business reporter for the Times Telegram. For unlimited access to her stories, please subscribe or activate you digital account today.  Email her at donna@timestelegram.com.