LibGuides: Voting: Home

Voting & COVID-19

As I am sure you know, COVID-19 is effecting all parts of our lives, including voting. To keep up with any changes that may happen to any elections,, be they primary, general or special, here are some useful websites with reliable information.

Voting & COVID-19
This website shows a quick summary of how elections have been effected due to COVID-19 for all states including New York.
New York State Absentee Voting
Qualifications for Absentee Voting in NY:

1. Absent from your county or, if a resident of New York City absent from the five boroughs, on Election Day.
2. Unable to appear at the polls due to temporary or permanent illness or disability (temporary illness includes being unable to appear due to risk of contracting or spreading a communicable disease like COVID-19).
3. Unable to appear because you are the primary care giver of one or more individuals who are ill or physically disabled.
4. A resident or patient of a Veterans Health Administration Hospital.
5. Detained in jail awaiting Grand Jury action or confined in prison after conviction for an offense other than a felony.
New York Voting Information
Voting 411 website contains updated information on New York State Registration and Voting Deadlines
Early Voting in NY for Covid
Early voting for the Tuesday, November 3, 2020 General Election begins on October 24th and ends on November 1st. Many counties has multiple voting sites available.

Buffalo Niagara LWV 2021 Voters Guide

2021 VOTERS GUIDE
Part I: Facts For Voters
2021 VOTERS GUIDE
Part II: Ballot Proposals
Voting & Election Information in New York State
he League of Women Voters has long been recognized as the premiere source for nonpartisan election information. Need some assistance during election time? Whether you’re a first-time voter or just looking for some friendly reminders, the League has the information you need.

Text VoteNY to 474747 to receive real time updates about upcoming elections in New York State, reminders to register, request an absentee ballot, and vote.

Voting is Important

Voting in elections is one of the most important duties of a United States citizen. Elections are not only how we pick our leaders, they are also how we let our leaders know what issues are important to us and what our values are.This libguide will show you how to register to vote, how to find your polling place, how to find your current representatives in government, links to information on current political parties and websites which monitor and analyze United States Politics

Different types of Elections

Primary Elections-primary elections determine which member of a political party will receive their party's nomination and be the sole candidate in the general election. Every state has it's own system of primaries and rules regarding who can and cannot vote in them. New York state has what are referred to as closed primaries, meaning voters can only vote for a candidate that is registered in the same party as the voter is registered in.

General Election- a final election for a political office consisting of candidate who were nominated through their party's primary process.

Midterm Election-the federal election that occurs two years after the presidential elections, voters choose between members of congress.

Recall Elections- An election in which voters can decide to remove an elected official from office before his or her term is complete. this usually takes place after a petition has been circulated. This process does not apply to the President, Vice President, Representatives, Senators, federal judges or federal officials, who instead go through an impeachment process to be removed.

Special Election- an election held outside of the normal election schedule due to a position being vacated due to the original holder dying, resigning or being impeached.