UVOTE | Union Voter Outreach + Education

If you have registered to vote already, you can confirm your status easily through one of the links below

• Registered in New York State
• Registered in a different state

If these sites indicate you are not registered to vote, don't panic. A few steps you can take to correct this:

• Review the accuracy of information you have entered. If your name has various spellings, try an alternate version (with or without middle initial; remove hyphens, apostrophes, etc.)
• Contact your state directly. If you registered recently, it can take a while to get this information updated in state systems.

If you are not registered, be sure to sign up today. Please keep in mind Voter Registration deadlines are strict and vary by state.

As a college student living in New York State you have two options:

• Register to vote with your Union College address
  • This must be done on paper - visit a UVOTE event or print out a form and mail it back tot he Schenectady Board of Elections
• Register to vote with your permanent address
  • New York permanent residents find your portal here
  • Residents of other states find your info here

The decision you make will impact how you are able to cast your vote in the election, as well as which races will appear on your ballot.

Absentee Ballot process differ slightly from state to state. You can find details about your state's process at vote.org.

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New York State residents who are registered to vote at their home address can follow the steps below to vote by Absentee Ballot:

1. Apply for an Absentee Ballot

As a student who is away from home on Election Day, you are automatically eligible for an Absentee Ballot. You can apply for your ballot through the Absentee Ballot Application Portal or you can download a hard copy to be printed and mailed. For the 2026 General Election, Absentee Ballot requests must be received by your local Board of Elections by Friday, October 23. UVOTE recommends that you submit your request much earlier than the deadline to avoid any delays or challenges.

Once you have submitted your Absentee Ballot request, you can track the status of your ballot online.

2. Receive Your Absentee Ballot

Check your campus mail regularly for the arrival of your Absentee Ballot. It will come in an envelope along with a Security Envelope and a pre-paid Return Envelope.

3. Vote on Your Absentee Ballot

Once your receive the ballot, mark the ballot according to your choices for each office following the instructions on the ballot. Be sure to check the back for additional Ballot Questions.

4. Place Ballot in Security Envelope

Identify the Security Envelope (it has a place for your signature). Once you have completed marking your ballot fold it up and place it in the Security Envelope. Sign and date the outside of the Security Envelope. Seal the Security Envelope.

5. Place Security Envelope in Return Envelope

Identify the Return Envelope (it has the return address of your county Board of Elections on the outside and should have a logo that reads, “Official Election Mail”). Place the Security Envelope in the Return Envelope. Seal the Return Envelope.

6. Mail Your Absentee Ballot

The Return Envelope does not require any additional postage. Bring your sealed envelope to the campus mailroom in Reamer, or a local Post Office. Your Ballot must be postmarked no later than November 3. UVOTE recommends that you mail your ballot much earlier than the deadline to avoid any delays or challenges.

7. Track Your Ballot

You can continue to track the status of your ballot online.

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Early Voting is an in-person method of casting your ballot before Election Day. Most states allow for some form of Early Voting in the days before Election Day to ensure voters are able to fit the process into their schedule and ease the burden on Poll Sites on Election Day. When participating in Early Voting in New York, you will use the same paper ballot process as you would on Election Day.

The availability of Early Voting differs by state.

Early Voting Info - New York State

Early Voting Info - all other states

For Union College students, Early Voting can be be a convenient way to participate in the election. Locally, Early Voting includes daytime, evening, weekday and weekend options.

Students registered using their campus address may vote at any of the Schenectady County Early Voting Sites. The Schenectady County Public Library, located just 3 blocks from campus at 99 Clinton Street serves as a convenient option.

Other students who are registered with their home address and are able to travel home during their community's Early Voting period may wish to cast their ballot that way (or can participate in the Absentee Ballot process through the mail).

Student registered to vote using their Union College address (and those with permanent addresses in Schenectady County) can participate in Schenectady's Early Voting process.

Early Voting Times

Check https://www.schenectadycountyny.gov/boe for info.

Early Voting Locations

All eligible voters can vote at any of the early voting sites within the County.

• Hon. Karen B. Johnson Library - 99 Clinton Street, Schenectady, NY 12305
• Glenville Senior Center - 32 Worden Road, Glenville, NY 12302
• Niskayuna Town Hall - 1 Niskayuna Circle, Niskayuna, NY 12309
• South Schenectady Volunteer Fire Department #6 - 6 Old Mariaville Road, Schenectady, NY 12306

Your Poll Site is determined by your Voter Registration choice.

If you have registered to vote using your Union College address you have 2 options:

• You can participate in Early Voting at any of the designated Schenectady Early Voting sites.
• You can vote on Election Day at 806 Union Street (Church of St. John the Evangelist).

If you are registered to vote at your home address you have 2 options:

• You may be able to participate in Early Voting in-person. You will need to travel to your home district to do this, and have limited time options depending on the regulations of your home community.
• You can vote via Absentee Ballot.

If you live in the local area, but not on campus, you can find your Poll Site through this New York State resource.

If you have not yet registered to vote, please note that the voter registration process is bound by strict deadlines, and failure to meet those deadlines can limit your ability to participate in the election.

Your polling site is determined by your registration location. To vote in-person in Schenectady you must be registered using your Union College address. If you are voting in-person in New York State you will follow these steps:

Find Your Poll Site

In New York State, you have two options for in-person voting. You can participate in Early Voting at any of the centrally located sites in your district (Schenectady County's info can be found here) or you can go to your designated local Poll Site on Election Day (Union College's Poll Site is located at 806 Union Street).

When you enter the Poll Site, be ready to provide your name and address.

Get Your Paper Ballot

Sign in and get your paper ballot from the poll worker. A privacy sleeve will be provided to shield your ballot from view after you have marked it. Go to the privacy booth.

Mark Your Paper Ballot

In the privacy booth, fill in the ovals below the names of the candidates/proposals of your choice with the pen provided.

Do not use an "X." Do not circle the oval or make stray marks on the ballot

For a write-in candidate, fill in the appropriate oval and write in the candidate's name.

If you make an error, you may request a new ballot at any time prior to inserting it into the scanner.

Scan Your Paper Ballot

Take your ballot to the scanner area. Do not fold your ballot before inserting it into the scanner. Insert your marked ballot into the scanner to cast your vote. The scanner accepts ballots in any direction and reads both sides of the ballot. The scanner will notify you that your vote has been cast successfully.

If you mark more choices than you are supposed to, the scanner will notify you of an overvote. It will give you the option to cast your ballot "as is" or return your ballot. If you cast your ballot "as is" your vote in that contest will not be counted. If you choose to have your ballot returned to you, see a poll worker to receive a new ballot.

Know Your Rights

Review your Voter Rights to ensure your right to vote is not infringed upon.

Need Help?

Ask a poll worker; they are available to provide assistance.