Frequently Asked Questions

You must be a registered voter in order to vote in the general or primary elections. To register, you must be a United States citizen, be 18 years old by the date of the election you want to vote, live at your present address for at least 30 days before an election, and not claim the right to vote elsewhere. You may not register or vote if you are in prison for a felony conviction.

You can print off a form from this web site. (Voter Registration Form) . Make sure you fit the form to print, as it is a legal-sized document. Or call us at 607-274-5522 and we will mail you one.

Yes. Many public agencies are now providing voter registration forms and assistance. You can also register at Board of Elections office at 128 E. Buffalo Street, Ithaca NY.

No. Once you register, you are permanently registered. Name, address or party enrollment changes can be made by submitting a new registration application.

You should receive a postcard from the Board of Elections some time in May, telling you where to vote. Watch for it! It will also indicate your election district number which you need to know on election day. Or, you can call us and we will tell you your appropriate polling place.

In New York State, most candidates get on the ballot by filing a petition containing a specified number of signatures. The required amount varies, depending on the office sought and whether the candidate is seeking a party nomination or a spot on the ballot as an independent.

Only enrolled party members may sign petitions for candidates who seek their party's nomination. Party members may sign for only one candidate for a specific elected office. Signing two or more petitions for the same elected office invalidates the signatures. However, any registered voter living within the appropriate district may sign a petition for a candidate seeking to run as an independent in the general election, as long as s/he has not already signed on behalf of another candidate.

Whether or not you sign a petition is a personal choice.

Some people refuse to sign petitions. However, the reluctance to sign petitions makes it difficult for potential candidates without strong political party backing to get the requisite number of signatures and run for elected office. Signing a petition is an important way to participate in the electoral process.

Some people sign candidates' petitions on a first-come-first served basis, without regard for the candidates' political beliefs. this practice can result in you signing a petition for a candidate who doesn't share your political philosophies, and who may have goals in government you oppose.

The best way to participate in the petition process is to become familiar with the candidates before signing. If a candidate, or his/her supporter, whom you are not familiar with approaches you for your signature, you may ask some questions about the candidate's beliefs and goals. then you will be able to make an informed decision whether or not to sign the candidate's petition.

Signing a petition does not obligate you to vote for the candidate in the Primary or General Election.

A primary is an election that may take place within each of New York State's official political parties. It precedes the general election and provides enrolled political party members the opportunity to nominate their party's candidates for elected office as well as to elect various party officials. However, if there is no contest, there is no primary.

Enrolled party members who help nominate candidates by signing petitions and voting in the primary have greater political clout than non-enrolled voters who can vote only in the general election.

Moreover, you are not obligated to vote for your party's candidate in the general election. In November, you may vote for any candidate from any party.

You voluntarily enroll in any party by indicating your preference on the voter registration form either at the same time that you register to vote or by re-registering.

If you will be out of town on election day or are physically unable to go to the polls, you can vote by absentee ballot.

Absentee ballot applications can be obtained by writing the Board of Elections, or by calling 607-274-5522. More information and online forms.

The majority of voters do not need to bring anything. First time voters who applied by mail, and did not provide us with a verified identification, may be asked to show ID. For those voters who do have to provide ID at the polls, a number of forms will be accepted. Either a current and valid photo identification with the voter’s name and picture (such as passports, driver’s license, or student identification card,) or else a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or government document that shows the name and address of the voter will be accepted.

When you enter the polling place, you'll see tables and voting machines for one or more election districts (E.D.) At the table for your E.D. you will be asked to sign next to a electronic version of your original signature on an electronic poll book.

Please call our office (607-274-5522) and we can check your eligibility. If you are not in the poll book, it may be because your registration form was not received or, for a primary, because you aren't enrolled in a party. If you believe that you are eligible, you can still vote. Ask for an affidavit ballot, which is basically a paper ballot. Or, you can see a judge and ask for a court order to vote on the machine. After the election, the Board of Elections will check its records and your vote will be counted, if you are indeed eligible to vote. If not, you will receive a notice that you are not eligible, along with a registration application for future elections.

You sign in the poll book, receive a paper ballot from an Inspector, mark the ballot at a voting booth, and then put your marked ballot in the scanner on the optical scan voting machine.

The optical scan voting machine is accessible for all voters. Instead of marking a ballot with a pen, a voter may use a Ballot Marking Device on the voting machine to vote independently and in privacy.

Jurors are drawn from list of state taxpayers and licensed drivers as well as from voter registration rolls. Do not give up your right to vote in the hope that you will avoid jury duty. Chances are, if you pay taxes or drive a car, you will still be called. Besides, serving on a jury is a privilege, one that permits you to personally stand up for all Americans' right to trial by a jury of their peers.

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.

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.

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)

Registered voters may apply for a change of enrollment personally at the Board of Elections or via mail by February 14th. The new enrollment becomes effective immediately. If you make the change after the February 14th deadline, the change goes into effect one week after the current year's State/Local primary election in June.

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.

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) Only a registered voter, however, may place a ballot in the scanner on the voting machine.

Yes. A registered voter that you employ may take up to three hours off to allow them time to vote, without loss of pay. The employee may take time off at the beginning or end of their working shift, as you may designate, unless otherwise mutually agreed. The employee must notify you not less than two days before the day of the election that they will need to take time off to vote.

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 poll books. 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 poll book.

If you have moved within Tompkins County, fill out a regular Voter Registration Form with your new address, and send it to us. After the form is processed, you will receive a new card confirming the change and telling you where your new polling place is. If you move out of Tompkins County, you need to register in your new County. They should notify us, but to be sure you are removed from our rolls you can mail us a signed note. Include your date of birth.

In Tompkins County more than 300 people are needed to work as election inspectors and operate the polls on Election Day. You must be 17 or older, a registered voter in Tompkins County (or pre-registered if under 18), represent either the Republican or Democratic Party, and enjoy people and service to others. Pay for working at the polls is $18.45 an hour for General Election and Primary Day, with an additional $40 for attending training.

If you are interested in becoming a pollworker, contact us:

Tompkins County Board of Elections
128 East Buffalo Street
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 274-5522
Email Board of Elections