OWEGO, N.Y. (WBNG) — Election Day is just two weeks away, and early voting in New York State starts soon, so here\u2019s what you need to know before you cast your ballot. <\/p>\n
Kelly Johnson and James Wahls with the Tioga County Board of Elections said it\u2019s a great way to avoid the lines on Election Day and get your ballot out. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt is important to early vote if you can or if you need to,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cThings pop up. Illnesses, transportation issues, and elections are just too important to risk not being able to vote.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNew York\u2019s deadline to register to vote<\/a> falls on the same day as the start of early voting, Oct. 24, which is known as \u201cGolden Day,\u201d Johnson said. <\/p>\n Unregistered voters can submit their vote through an affidavit ballot. <\/p>\n \u201cYou won\u2019t be found in our poll book, but you can vote by the affidavit ballot,\u201d Wahls explained. \u201cYou seal your ballot in that envelope instead of casting it on a machine. And we register you from the affidavit envelope and count your ballot following the election.\u201d<\/p>\n Voters can also vote by mail through an absentee ballot. These ballots can be sent through the postal service, to your local board of elections, or left in a ballot drop box. <\/p>\n \u201cIf you apply<\/a> by mail or by online portal, those applications must be received by the Board of Elections by this Saturday, the 24th,\u201d Wahls said. \u201cHowever, if you apply in person over the counter, you can do that up until the day before the election.<\/p>\n In Broome County, early voting starts<\/a> on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 9 a.m. You can vote early until Sunday, Nov. 1.<\/p>\n The same is true for Tioga County, although there is only one location<\/a> for early voting.<\/p>\n For those who choose to vote in person, a list of Broome County polling places can be found on the county\u2019s website<\/a>. Those looking to vote in Tioga County can find polling locations here<\/a>.<\/p>\n