Oct. 14 is the last day new voters can register to cast...

Oct. 14 is the last day new voters can register to cast their ballots in November. Credit: Getty Images/Spencer Platt

If you’ve happened upon some TV commercials or opened your mailbox in the last few weeks, perhaps you’ve heard: There’s an election coming up, on Nov. 8.

New Yorkers have the opportunity to make choices for governor, comptroller, attorney general, U.S. senator, the House of Representatives, the State Legislature, various judicial races, a statewide proposition, and local races in some places.

What the onslaught of political messages might not make clear is that there are a number of forthcoming deadlines that could affect the way you vote:

  • For new voters who would like to register to vote in time for November, the last day to do so is Oct. 14.
  • If you would like to request an absentee ballot, you can apply by Oct. 24 online or by mail. Concern about COVID-19 remains a valid excuse to make such a request. You can also apply in person by visiting your county election board up until Nov. 7.
  • Early voting starts Oct. 29 and runs through Nov. 6. Long Island voters can go to any early-vote site in their county.

Highlighting these deadlines is particularly important this year in Suffolk County which continues to suffer from a September cyberattack. In response, the county took down public-facing websites, including one for Suffolk’s Board of Elections, a crucial depository for voting information at this time of year. The workaround — a spot on the county’s temporary website, www.suffolkcountyny.gov — at least includes an email and phone number which residents can use to ask questions: BOEinfo@suffolkcountyny.gov and 631-852-4500.

There couldn't be a worse time for such a meltdown, but election officials promise the vote won’t be impeded, given the contingency plans in place. The board is able to process absentee ballot requests and online voter registrations made through the state election board website or the Department of Motor Vehicles. Prospective voters can visit dmv.ny.gov/more-info/electronic-voter-registration-application.

Two state websites will be very useful to Suffolk — as well as Nassau — residents who are getting ready to cast their ballots. Go to voterlookup.elections.ny.gov to check your registration. Absentee ballots can be requested at absenteeballot.elections.ny.gov. Paper forms can also be downloaded at www.elections.ny.gov/VotingAbsentee.html and mailed.

For voters who prefer to conduct their business offline, the Suffolk BOE office in Yaphank will be open on Saturday, Oct. 1, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for in-person registration or an absentee ballot application, as well as Monday, Oct. 3, in the evening until 8 p.m. 

The Suffolk BOE is also mailing a document to civic and community groups with the locations, dates, and times of early voting sites. Addresses and hours for the Nassau sites, as well as other voting updates, are available at nassauvotes.com.

Don’t miss out on this chance to cast your ballot, in one form or another. The clock is ticking.

MEMBERS OF THE EDITORIAL BOARD are experienced journalists who offer reasoned opinions, based on facts, to encourage informed debate about the issues facing our community.

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