The Peru Gazette

From the office of State Santor Betty Little

State Senator Betty Little is urging voters to take advantage of the first-ever opportunity in New York State to vote early ahead of this November’s general election.

Beginning Saturday, October 26, voters will have the opportunity to cast their votes for candidates running for election on the November ballot.  A list of polling sites in the 45^th Senate District, which comprises Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Warren and parts of St. Lawrence and Washington Counties, may be found at www.nysenate.gov/early-voting-new-york-state.

“I’ve been a proponent of early voting to help increase voter participation and also recognizing that many people make up their minds well ahead of Election Day,” said Little.  “This is the first year, so it will be interesting to see how it works.”

Two years ago, Little sponsored legislation that would have created a “no excuse” absentee ballot, so voters could fill out the ballot at home or local county board of elections and vote before Election Day.  That proposal, however, would have required a state constitutional amendment and did not advance.  This year, the Legislature approved and governor signed legislation to create this roughly one-week voting window.

“As a mother of six, there were days when getting out of the house on Election Day wasn’t easy.  I know a lot of people plan to vote and things come up and the day gets away from them.  This is a chance to vote at one’s convenience, avoiding the hassle of long lines and fulfilling a civic duty that is so critical to the strength of our democracy,” Little concluded.