CHLOE KOWALYK
Managing Editor
You’re away from home, but you still want to exercise your right to vote.
What do you do?
You apply for an absentee ballot!
What is an absentee ballot?
According to the American Democracy Project community relations coordinator and senior public relations major Allyson Youngs, absentee voting is “a method for those who cannot make it to vote in person at their assigned polling place and meet the qualifications to vote absentee.”
Basically, an absentee ballot allows those away from home for different reasons to continue to exercise their right to vote.
However, only certain individuals qualify for absentee voting. For instance, a person could apply for an absentee ballot if they are not in the county that they are registered to vote in. Youngs said that an example of this would be students at Fredonia who are far from their hometowns and cannot travel home to vote.
Youngs also explained that a person with “a permanent illness or disability or temporary illness like COVID-19 could prevent someone from voting in person” would also qualify to vote absentee.
Gail Crowe, the voter services representative for League of Women Voters of Chautauqua County (LWVCC), said people may also vote absentee due to being the primary caregiver of individuals who are ill or physically disabled, a resident of a Veterans Health Administration hospital or are currently being held in jail/prison, awaiting trial, awaiting action by a grand jury or are in prison for conviction of a crime or offense which was not a felony.
Absentee ballots serve those in these circumstances to participate in the election process.
Why is voting important?
“Your vote is your voice. … Don’t let not being able to make it to your hometown or any other reason prevent you from casting your vote,” Youngs said.
A person’s right to vote is a civil right. Not utilizing your vote and participating in the election process means you’re not fulfilling your civic duty.
Crowe said that “elections have consequences,” and your vote can determine what those consequences are. “If you don’t vote, someone else will make decision[s] for you on topics like climate, gun control, reproductive rights [and] student loan debt.
Dr. Angela McGowan-Kirsch, the chair of SUNY Fredonia’s Chapter of the American Democracy Project, also believes that exercising your right to vote is extremely important. “As American citizens, it is important that we participate in our democracy,” she said.
No matter if a person votes where they’re registered in their hometown or are voting absentee, the voter holds the power to create change. If you’re someone who hopes to have a voice in the decisions that impact our lives, voting is a great way to start.
“Every vote counts,” said Crowe. “Many elections have been decided by less than 10 votes, as well as
by counting absentee ballots after election day. You can make a difference!”
How do you apply for an absentee ballot?
Individuals can apply for an absentee ballot by requesting one online at absenteeballot.elections.ny.gov. After you apply online, your ballot will arrive to you in the mail. People can also apply in person at their local county board of elections.
Crowe recommends that people using an absentee ballot to vote “should apply for their ballot as soon as possible to avoid post office and other delays.”
There are several deadlines absentee voters should be aware of. According to McGowan, absentee ballots need to be requested by Oct. 24 for the midterm election, which is on Nov. 8. Also, Nov. 7 is the final day to apply in person at the local board of elections for an absentee ballot. Completed ballots need to be postmarked by Nov. 8 and received by the board of elections no later than Nov 15. These deadlines can also be referenced at https://www.elections.ny.gov/VotingDeadlines.html.
For the process of filling out the ballot itself, Crowe recommends that people “read the application carefully all the way through before starting to fill it out.” She added that people “many ballots get rejected for simple mistakes,” so it is important to double check that all of your information is correct.
Youngs described the process of submitting the ballot. She said people should ensure they “mark [their] ballot, place it in the provided security envelope, sign and date the outside of [their] envelope and place the security envelope inside the return envelope, then seal the second envelope and mail it to the county board of elections office.”
McGowan noted that people who use an absentee ballot are not permitted to vote on a voting machine at the polls. Rather, people need to use a paper “affidavit ballot.”
Where can I learn more?
There are a variety of resources available to students regarding information on elections and absentee voting. According to Crowe, “The League of Women Voters is a national political grassroots network and membership organization that believes the freedom to vote is a nonpartisan issue.” The network has been around for over a century, working to “empower voters and defend democracy,” she added.
Both women and men can join. Students can join for free.
“Our LWVCC discusses and studies issues of local, national, state and regional concern. We inform ourselves, legislators and the general public about the results of our research,” Crowe said. “We organize voter registration drives and Get-Out-the-Vote activities, monitor elections and government activities, and organize candidate debates.”
The organization also partners with SUNY Fredonia’s ADP. The two work together to organize voter registration drives and campaigns on campus.
The national LWV webpage can be reached at www.lwv.org.
The NYS webpage can be reached at www.lwvny.org.
NYS election deadlines are listed at: www.elections.ny.gov.
Both McGowan and Crowe recommend visiting www.VOTE411.org for information on voting.
For information on absentee ballots, visit https://absenteeballot.elections.ny.gov/.
According to Youngs, the ADP can be contacted via email at ADP@fredonia.edu. Additionally, Youngs said the ADP is “releasing a four-part video series with the intention to break down the absentee voting process. To view these videos follow us on social media.” They can be found on social media @ADPfred.
The ADP’s website is https://www.fredonia.edu/about/offices/university-engagement/adp-american-democracy-project and they have a blog at https://democracyfredonia.weebly.com/.