BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Erie County Board of Elections commissioners Ralph Mohr and Jeremy Zellner announced the county's online absentee ballot portal is now accepting requests for the November 3 general election.
New York Governor Cuomo signed legislation just last week making all New Yorkers eligible to vote absentee due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
All registered voters in Erie County may request and vote by mail-in ballot as well as check the status of their request through the portal.
“With the uncertainties created by Covid-19, voting by mail is an effective means of reducing traffic at our polling sites while ensuring that people have their say in the election,” Mohr said.
“The pandemic has changed almost aspect of our daily lives, but it cannot be allowed to disrupt our electoral process, and the portal reflects that commitment,” Zellner said.
Mohr and Zellner say although the portal is open for requests, general election absentee ballots cannot be mailed until they are certified by NYS which is expected to take place in early September.
"In addition to Election Day, there will be nine days of early voting at 37 polling sites in Erie County from Saturday, Oct. 24 to Sunday, Nov. 1. Voters in Erie County may cast ballots at any early voting location regardless of where they live," Erie County BOE said in a release.
You can find the online portal here.
