The November 3rd 2020 election will bring unprecedented challenges: from COVID to voter suppression attempts to the slowing of the post office. We have put together this guide as a resource for anyone who wishes to vote safely and securely.
The general election is Nov. 3, 2020. Find your election day polling place here.
Info on how and where to vote is below — details on who the Rockland United steering committee is voting for are here.
EARLY VOTING
If you are able to leave your house, we recommend early voting. Lines are generally very short and polling places have Covid-safe measures in place, like masks, a socially distant line, hand sanitizer and disposable pens.
Rockland has four Early Voting Centers — and all Rockland voters can vote at ANY of these four:
1. Clarkstown Town Hall, 10 Maple Avenue, New City, New York 10956
2. Haverstraw Town Hall, 1 Rosman Road, Garnerville, New York 10923
3. Orangetown Town Hall, 26 West Orangeburg Road, Orangeburg, New York 10962
4. Ramapo Town Hall, 237 Route 59, Suffern, New York 10901
Early voting runs 10/24 through 11/1. Mark your calendar today for the day you will vote!
Saturday, October 24, 2020 from 9AM until 2PM
Sunday, October 25, 2020 from 9AM until 2PM
Monday, October 26, 2020 from 9AM until 5PM
Tuesday, October 27, 2020 from 12Noon until 8PM
Wednesday, October 28, 2020 from 9AM until 5PM
Thursday, October 29, 2020 from 12Noon until 8PM
Friday, October 30, 2020 from 9AM until 5PM
Saturday, October 31, 2020 from 9AM until 2PM
Sunday, November 1, 2020 from 9AM until 2PM
ABSENTEE BALLOTS
The good news: you can now use Temporary Illness/Covid as a reason to request an absentee ballot.
The bad news: slow downs in the US Postal Service could cause delays in receiving and returning your ballot.
Our recommendation: if you are able to go in person to request and to return your ballot, that’s the safest way to do this. Best way — go to the Rockland BOE after the ballots are available (sometime after Sept 18th), request the ballot, receive the ballot, go to your car to fill it out, go back into the office and hand it in.
Second choice: Request your ballot immediately and return it as soon as you receive it.
Absentee Deadlines
10/27: Last day to apply online, by email, fax or to postmark an application or letter of application by mail for an absentee ballot. (Please be warned that despite this deadline, the Post Office has advised they cannot guarantee timely delivery of ballots applied for less than 15 days before an election.)
11/2: Last day to apply IN-PERSON for absentee ballot.
11/3: Last day to postmark ballot. Must be received by the local board of elections no later than Nov. 10th. Military Voter Ballots must be received no later than Nov. 16th.
11/3: Last day to deliver ballot IN-PERSON to the local board of elections or to any poll site.
How to Request Your Absentee Ballot
You may apply for an absentee ballot in any of the following ways:
By sending an email request to your local county board of elections voterinfo@co.rockland.ny.us
By sending a fax request to your local county board of elections 845-638-5196
By going in-person to your local county board of elections (11 New Hempstead Road, New City)
By mailing a paper application to your local county board of elections (11 New Hempstead Road, New City, NY 10956)You can download a PDF version of the New York State Absentee Ballot Application Form:
By sending a letter to your county board of elections. The letter must contain the following information:
Name and date of birth of the voter
the address where you are registered
an address where the ballot is to be sent, and
the reason for the request.If you apply by letter, an application form will be mailed with your ballot. The application form must be completed and returned with your ballot.
If you cannot pick up your ballot, or will not be able to receive it through the mail, you have the right to designate someone to pick it up for you. Only that person designated on your application may pick up and deliver your ballot.
How to Cast Your Absentee Ballot
Once your receive the ballot, mark the ballot according to your choices for each office following the instructions on the ballot
Once you have completed marking your ballot fold it up and place it in the Security Envelope. (This envelope will have a place for your signature.)
Sign and date the outside of the Security Envelope.***THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. THEY WILL NOT COUNT YOUR BALLOT WITHOUT A SIGNATURE AND DATE
Seal the Security Envelope.
Place the Security Envelope in the Return Envelope. (This envelope will have the return address of your county Board of Elections on the outside and should have a logo that reads, “Official Election Mail”)
Seal the Return Envelope.
You may return the ballot in any of the following ways:
Put it in the mail ensuring it receives a postmark no later than November 3rd.
Bringing it to the County Board of Elections Office no later than November 3rd.
Bringing it to an early voting poll site between October 24th and November 1st
Bringing it to a poll site on November 3rd.
