Frequently asked questions: New York State midterms
Can I vote in Ithaca if I’m not from here?
Yes, eligible voters can choose to register to vote in Tompkins County using their college address as long as they have lived here for at least 30 days. You must register at least 10 days before the election. It is illegal to vote in two different places in the same election, so students deciding to vote in Tompkins County but registered somewhere else should change their registration. Visit the Tompkins County Board of Elections website for more voter registration information.
Voting by mail in New York does not require an excuse to get an absentee ballot by mail. The ballot should be postmarked by election day. Postage is prepaid in New York, so stamps are not needed. Other states require a provided excuse for a mail-in absentee ballot. To see your state’s specific vote-by-mail requirements go to the National Conference of State Legislators for deadlines and qualifications.
Is it too late to request my ballot? (rules for a couple states)
For students wanting to vote by mail in New York, the last day to apply for a mail-in ballot is 10 days before election day. Mail-in ballots must be requested by Oct. 24.
For students wanting to vote in New Jersey or Pennsylvania, the last day to request a mail-in ballot through the mail is Oct. 27. Both states have no-excuse absentee voting, meaning any eligible voter can request a mail-in ballot. In New Jersey, the ballot must be postmarked no later than 8 p.m. on election night; however, in Pennsylvania, the ballot must be received by 8 p.m. on election night.
For students wanting to vote in Massachusetts, it is recommended to apply as soon as possible. Massachusetts also has no-excuse absentee voting. Ballots must be postmarked on or before election day and received by the third day after the election. Visit Vote411.org for information on voting by mail for your state.
What big races are on the ballot this year?
Major elections in New York State this year include the Governor race and races for members of the House of Representatives in Congress. The candidates for New York State Governor include incumbent Kathy Hochul (D), running with Adrienne Adams as Lieutenant Governor; Bruce Blakeman (R), running with Todd Hood as Lieutenant Governor; and write-in candidates Jean Anglade and Jonathan Makeley. Running for the United States House, New York District 19, the district representing Tompkins County, are incumbent Josh Riley (D) and Peter Oberacker (R).
Yes, voting early in New York begins Oct. 24 and ends Nov. 1. This lines up with Ithaca College’s Fall Break, so IC New Yorkers heading home for break can vote early at this time. For out-of-state voters, voting early depends on your state’s rules and regulations. Check out vote.org for its early voting by state calendar.
How do I know my vote is secure?
The Board of Elections is in charge of ensuring election security. In New York state, each county conducts its elections independently. The Tompkins County Board of Elections manages voter registration for the county, updates voter rolls and safeguards voter records to ensure only eligible voters are registered and voters are not registered in multiple counties. The Board of Elections is also in charge of testing, transporting and protecting election equipment and materials.
Matt Garr
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New York Attorney General
New York Congressional District 19
New York Comptroller
New York state Senate District 52
Governor of New York
Lieutenant Governor
Assembly District 125
Community commentary: What does Ithaca want?
Jeff Iovannone, Public Historian: “The current administration is trying to gut protections for historic properties, which [are protected] under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. I don’t think people are as focused on that as other issues because we’re so overwhelmed by the morass of things and the sheer volume of chaos this administration is throwing at us.”
Michele Bracey, Clerical Worker: “The representatives represent the people. Until the people [are] mad and demand a change, the representatives are not going to change. So the change needs to come. We [are] not mad enough.”
Peter Malcomson, Retired Tradesman: “The issues [that concern me] specifically would probably be affordable housing [and] no taxation without representation. Meaning, you know, I don’t mind paying taxes, I just want it to be known where that money is going. Infrastructure improvement in this area needs to be improved.”
Dillon Meachan, Musician: “[I want] more checks on the power and not being able to just do whatever you want. Having not everything be red and having some blue in there somewhere could hopefully change that, at least clog up the works a little bit so that it’s not just stuff happening all the time with no oversight.”
Jackie Kucskar, Veterinarian: “I certainly want to make some progressive changes. You know, as far as focusing on universal health care, or at least making strides in the right direction as far as healthcare not being tied to employment is a huge thing for me.”
Audrey Perich, Resident of Ithaca: “I’m looking for a candidate that will speak up for everybody, including women [and] people of color, and [try] to make things cost less. That’s a really big thing for me is to try to counter inflation, which is a hard task, but it can definitely be done.”