Columbia County Board of Elections

Beginning now (2022), a voter who has been issued* an absentee ballot MAY NOT CAST A BALLOT ON THE VOTING MACHINE, either at Early Voting or on Election Day.

( * Technically, it is the issuing of the absentee ballot by the Board of Elections to the voter that bars the voter from voting on the machine, but after ballots are printed--in mid-May for the Primary--ballots will be issued promptly upon receipt of the application, so submitting the absentee application will effectively bar the voter from voting on the machine.)

A voter who has been issued an absentee ballot IS permitted to vote by AFFIDAVIT ballot at Early Voting or on Election Day.

This is the case regardless of whether the voter actually returns the absentee ballot. It is the ISSUING of the absentee ballot that triggers this restriction, not the return of the absentee ballot itself.

The voter’s affidavit ballot will be counted if the Board of Elections has not received an absentee ballot from the voter and the voter is otherwise qualified. If, at the time the Board reviews affidavit ballots, the Board of Elections has received both an affidavit ballot and an absentee ballot from the voter, the absentee ballot will be counted and the affidavit ballot will not be.

In summary, once you submit an APPLICATION for an absentee ballot, you should plan to vote either by ABSENTEE ballot or by AFFIDAVIT ballot (if you go to Early Voting or to your Election Day polling place). Once an absentee ballot is issued to you, you may not cast your ballot on the voting machine.

APPLICATION DEADLINES FOR ABSENTEE BALLOTS ARE EARLIER: ANOTHER IMPORTANT CHANGE WAS ENACTED LAST YEAR AND REMAINS IN EFFECT. Applications for absentee ballots that are submitted to the Board of Elections by mail or via the State portal must be received by the Board of Elections at least fifteen (15) days ahead of the election.

After this 15-day cutoff, only applications for absentee ballots that are PERSONALLY delivered to the Board of Elections can be accepted. Personally delivered applications for absentee ballots may be brought to the Board of Elections as late as the day before the election. The Board, upon such personal delivery of the application, will then give the ballot to the voter or to the designated agent, but will not mail out a ballot.

* * * * *

Click here for Certified Final Results of June 28, 2022 Primary

Breakdown by Election District here.

Phone (518) 828-3115

Here are some commonly requested forms from the Board of Elections:

NYS Voter Registration Form:

COMMON USES:

*Change of Name *Change of Party

*Change of Address *Change of Contact Information

*Change of Mailing Address *Change of County Where You Vote

ALL SIGNATURES MUST BE SIGNED IN INK FOR YOUR APPLICATION TO BE VALID

https://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/download/voting/voteregform-eng-fillable.pdf

NYS Absentee Ballot Form:

https://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/download/voting/AbsenteeBallot-English.pdf

Didn't find what you need or have a question?

E-Mail or call us at:

elections@columbiacountyny.com

(518) 828-3115

Deadline Feb 14th for Party Enrollment Changes:

To vote in a primary election, if your party is having a primary, you must be enrolled in that party by February 14th of the year in which it occurs. If you want to change your party enrollment, your properly completed Voter Registration Form must be IN HAND at the Board of Elections by Monday, February 14th.
Please note: A change of enrollment completed on MyDMV on February 14th will not be considered timely for this year's primary elections.
Any change of enrollment received after February 14th will take effect after the primary election of that year.

Office hours at the Board: 8am-4pm, M-F.

For Austerlitz Voters

You now vote at the Town Hall at 812 Route 203 in Spencertown instead of at the firehouse.

For Stockport Voters

You now vote at the American Legion Hall at 107 County Route 25 (across Route 25 from the firehouse).

For City of Hudson Voters

City ward boundaries changed on January 1, 2017 due to the passage of Proposition 1 in the November 2016 election. See the Board of Elections' press release of February 14, 2017 and the attached map for more information.

Become a Poll Worker - The Board of Elections is always looking for qualified voters to serve as Poll Inspectors. It's a great way to earn extra money while responding to your community's need. Please contact us if you are interested.