Absentee Voting Frequently Asked Questions
Posted on 06/05/2020

Absentee Voting Frequently Asked Questions for 2020:

Q:           Why do we have to vote by absentee ballot this year?
A:           
Due to the pandemic, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.26 on May 1, 2020, which formally moved the annual school district election to June 9, 2020 and on June 7, 2020 issued Executive Order 202.39 which extended the election to June 16, 2020. For the first time ever, the entire election must take place “remotely” and all voters will vote by absentee ballot.


Q:           What is the process for properly completing my absentee ballot?
A:            Each qualified voter will receive an envelope with a ballot, a postage paid return envelope and an oath envelope. Voters should complete the ballot by placing an “X” in the desired boxes on the ballot. The ballot is then placed inside the oath envelope. The oath envelope MUST be completed on both sides. Seal the oath envelope, place inside the postage paid return envelope and mail the return envelope to the District Office – 565 Sayles Street, Oneida , NY. All ballots must be received by 5 p.m. June 16. Executive order 202.39 eliminated the district’s ability to accept hand delivered ballots. Postmarks will not be a factor in determining a legally cast ballot.  

Q:        Do I have to fill out the address on the oath envelope?
A:         YES! Election inspectors must verify that each oath envelope returned to the district by the deadline is on the poll list for the district. If election inspectors cannot determine if an oath envelope belongs to a qualified voter on the poll list, the ballot must be set aside and not counted in the election.

Q:        Does the oath envelope have to be signed on the reverse side where indicated?
A:         YES! Unsigned oath envelopes will be set aside and not counted in the election.

Q:        How will the anonymity of my ballot be preserved?
A:         Election inspectors will adhere to strict procedures that include keeping the ballot folded once it is extracted from the oath envelope and depositing the folded ballot into a locked box. Once all ballots have been extracted accordingly, the box will then be opened and ballots will be removed and unfolded, thus maintaining voter anonymity.           

Q:        What are some other potential conditions where my ballot will be rejected?
A:         Following are some of the other conditions, which may cause a ballot to be rejected:      
Ballots are returned in the return envelope without being placed in the oath envelope
Ballots arrive to the district office after 5 p.m. on June 16
Other materials are included in the oath envelope with the ballot
Defacing or tearing the ballot