General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDoes anyone have any info about mail in voting in New York State?
I have never heard of "mail in voting" in my state in its strictest terms.
Google only returns information for absentee voting.
Absentee voting requires you to list a reason you are requesting an absentee ballot.
Illness and disability are some boxes that can be checked.
I am certainly not too ill to make it to the voting booth like I do every election, but I am at very high risk for Covid, I expect the virus to be worse by election day, and I expect to continue to self-isolate.
Does anyone know what my options might be?
Below is the link to an absentee form:
https://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/download/voting/AbsenteeBallot-English.pdf
My thought is checking the "permanent illness" box. It's not a lie, after all. I have illnesses that put me at risk from exposure to the public...that's the way I look at it.
Thanks.
lapucelle
(18,411 posts)We are all affiliated with the Democratic Party. I'm not sure if unaffiliated (independent) voters received ballots. (NYS has closed primaries.)
You should check with the NYS Board of Elections to see why you didn't receive one.
I think NYS will be using the same system for the general election, i.e. sending a mail-in ballot to all registered voters.
LuckyCharms
(17,472 posts)Danmel
(4,943 posts)Then you were checked to be sure you were a registered voter. For the primary, to be sure you were enrolled in the party whose ballot you requested.
Then, once you checked out, you got a ballot.
Way to ensure integrity and no voter fraud.
lapucelle
(18,411 posts)March, April, and May were a blur in my life this year.
we can do it
(12,222 posts)Danmel
(4,943 posts)Absentee voting regulations are set in the NYS Constitution. In 2019 after Democrats took control of the State Senate after many years of a divided legislature, the legislature passed and Governor Cuomo signed a large package of voting reforms, including early voting and no-excuse absentee ballots.
However, because it requires amending the state constitution, the bill must be a ballot referendum approved by the voters.
For the New York primary held in June of this year, the Governor issued an executive order allowing concerns about COVID-19 to be categorized as "temporary illness" within the meaning of the constitution. Polls remained open for those who chose to vote in person and you still had to apply for a ballot, which is signed by the voter under penalty of perjury, punishable by 5 years in prison.
Last week, the legislature reconvened and passed a bill to allow the same provisions to apply in November. I'm not sure if the governor has signed it but I have no reason not to believe that he will either sign it or issue another executive order to protect people's right to vote without risking their lives. Governor Cuomo has clearly prioritized public health to the chagrin of the "liberate" crowd. You can access absentee ballot applications on the New York State Board of Educations website.
https://www.elections.ny.gov/VotingAbsentee.html
If you have any questions, let me know.
LuckyCharms
(17,472 posts)Do you think I would be safe (in other words "non-fraudulent" if I checked the temporary illness box and mailed the form in before the bill was signed or otherwise handled favorably by Gov. Cuomo? Like within the next 2 weeks I mean...
lapucelle
(18,411 posts)I was just wondering how to go about it in NYS.
choie
(4,112 posts)For the primary in June, Cuomo signed an order permitting all NYers to vote by absentee ballot and to check the temporary illness box because were all presumed to be in danger of getting Covid 19. Not sure if this has been extended yet for the general election, but I would think it will be.
Response to LuckyCharms (Original post)
Princess Turandot This message was self-deleted by its author.
Wounded Bear
(58,792 posts)LuckyCharms
(17,472 posts)I just got the phone number for the NYS Board of Elections. I'll call them in the morning.