ITHACA, NY — Members of the Tompkins County Board of Elections (BOE) are urging county residents to check their voter registration status and take advantage of early voting opportunities ahead of the November 5 general election, where they expect high voter turnout.

Democratic Commissioner Steve DeWitt urged citizens to vote early, from Oct. 26 to Nov. 3, in a statement sent by the BOE on Thursday. He said doing so would help reduce the expected high turnout on Election Day.

“As this is a presidential election year, we are gearing up for a busy next few months and preparing for high voter turnout,” Republican Election Commissioner Alanna Congdon said in the statement.

Residents have until Oct. 26 to register for the general election and submit absentee or early voting applications to the BOE. Applications are accepted online, by mail or in person at the board’s office at 128 E. Buffalo St. in downtown Ithaca.

The deadline to request absentee ballots or early voting by mail is November 4. Voters do not need to provide a reason for early voting. The last day to have a general election ballot postmarked or delivered in person at a polling place or BOE office is November 5. The ballot must be received by the BOE no later than November 14.

Through the New York State Board of Elections, residents can check their registration status, find polling places and track absentee ballots.

As of September 10, a total of 57,164 people were registered to vote in Tompkins County, including 31,040 Democrats and 10,136 Republicans. The remaining 12,900 voters are not registered with either party, according to the BOE statement.

Residents can register in person at the BOE office during regular business hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or at one of the upcoming voter registration events listed below:

• Booth at the Airport and Community Preparedness Expo: Saturday, September 14, 7 a.m.–1 p.m., 62 Brown Rd, Ithaca
• Table at Ithaca Commons: Saturday, September 14, 12pm-4pm
• Extended office hours/events:
  • Saturday, September 28, 2–9 p.m.
  • Thursday, October 10, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (national registration day)
  • Tuesday, October 22, 9 a.m.–7 p.m.
  • Thursday, October 24, 9 a.m.–7 p.m.
  • Saturday, October 26, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
  • Tuesday, October 29, 9 a.m.–7 p.m.
  • Thursday, October 31, 9 a.m.–7 p.m.

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