1. General Voting Procedures
What hours are the Polls open on Election Day?
The polls are open from 12noon to 9pm in both the Village and Primary Elections, and from 6am to 9pm in the General Election. Voters in line at the close of polls will be allowed to vote.

Can I still vote if I am in ill or in the hospital on Election Day?
Yes, Any person who is unable to appear at their specified polling place, because of illness, physical disability, or is a patient in a hospital is eligible for an absentee ballot. (See absentee ballot information for more details.)

May someone help me vote?
Yes, any voter who states under oath that he requires assistance for one of the following reasons may receive help:

*Cannot read,

*Cannot even with the aid of glasses see the names printed on the ballot,

*Is so physically handicapped that he/she cannot turn down the levers or use the write in slots on the voting machine, or

*Unless aided by another person cannot enter a voting booth.

Any voter who requires assistance may choose such person, other than the voter's employer or agent of employers union. If he/she does not select a person, one inspector from each political party shall assist.

Must I vote for the candidates of the party that I am enrolled with?
Primary - Yes. A voter shall only vote for the candidates of the party in which he is affiliated.
**Note - in order to vote in a Primary election you must be enrolled in a party.
General - No. A voter may cross party lines.

How do I change my party affiliation?
Registered voters may apply for a change of enrollment personally at the Board of Elections or via mail by the last day of local registration of the year. The new enrollment becomes effective one week after the November General Election of that year.

2. Polling Places
Who determines where the polling places will be?
The municipalities within the county determine all polling places. Every town/city must provide the Board of Elections with a list of polling places for each election district.
There shall be no smoking in any place of registration or voting in a church or school.

3. Poll Watchers
How can I become a Poll Watcher?
Any candidate, political party or other body of voters has the right to designate a registered voter within their county of residence to serve as a poll watcher. The chairman of above said parties shall appoint watchers. A signed certificate by one of these groups will serve as sufficient evidence and must be given to the election inspectors. Each watcher must have their own certificate and separate certificates are needed for each polling place.

4. Electioneering
How far away from the polling place must I be to electioneer?
While the polls are open, no person shall do any electioneering within 100 hundred radial feet of the entrance to the polls. There can be no political banner, button, poster or placard within that 100 feet.
Can I take an Exit Poll?
Yes, under the following conditions:

*Exit polls cannot be conducted in the polling place. It MUST be conducted outside the 100 ft radial, and the organization must abide by all other rules that apply to electioneering.

*The poll can not interfere with voting procedures.

*The organization may only poll voters who are leaving the polling place, and thus have already voted.

*The organization must inform the voters that their cooperation is voluntary.

*Above all, remember that the Board of Elections and its inspectors have complete control over all activities in and around the polling place. (Election Law, 8-104)

5. Children
May I take my child with me into the voting booth?
Yes, any persons younger than the age of 16 on Election Day may accompany a qualified voting parent or guardian into the voting booth. The parent or guardian must provide appropriate supervision so that he/she does not interfere with the orderly process of voting. (Election Law, Conduct of Elections 8-106)

6. Time off to vote
Must I pay my employees for time off to vote?
Yes, if a registered voter does not have sufficient time outside of his working hours, all employers must provide a time not to exceed two hours absence from work with pay to let employees vote. Sufficient time consists of 4 consecutive hours either before or after work in conjunction with poll hours.

7. What's the difference between an emergency ballot and an affidavit ballot?
An Emergency ballot is used if any voting machine shall become out of order during an election. These ballots are opened at the polls after the polls are closed and counted as machine votes.
An Affidavit ballot is used when a voter's name has been omitted from the computer generated pollbooks. These voters must swear that they are a registered voter and provide current and previous address, and at a primary election must include the party in which he is enrolled. A voter may also use an affidavit ballot to challenge his/her party enrollment stated in the pollbook.

8. Penalty
Any person who knowingly and willfully violates Election Law or who falsely represents him/herself in any aspect of the Electoral process is guilty of a misdemeanor. Any person convicted of a misdemeanor under Election law can be convicted and fined up to $5,000 and/or jailed for up to four years.