early voting

There may not have been hiccups on the first day of early voting, but there were plenty of smiles for at least one voter who was glad she did her patriotic duty Saturday.

Tonya Gray, proudly displaying an “I Voted” sticker on her forehead, was practically giddy as she came out of the ARC Community Center building on Woodrow Road Saturday in Batavia after casting her votes in this year’s election.

“It’s the first time I ever voted early,” said Gray of Batavia. “It just made me feel good to get it off my chest. There’s so much going on in the world, so much madness. I’m able to have a voice, I feel so good. I feel chipper and I voted. And I’m going to spread the word and tell others to vote early — today.”

She planned to corral some friends or family to get off the couch and go vote instead of sitting around and letting time waste, she said. Gray later added that “tomorrow isn’t promised to us,” so go vote while you can.

Apparently she wasn’t alone in her enthusiasm to get it done on the first of nine early voting days. There were 1,143 voters that showed up to ARC Saturday, Democratic Election Commissioner Lorie Longhany said.

“We processed more early voters today than we ever have in one day,” she said.

As far as the process and people, things couldn’t have gone better, Longhany said.

“There were no hiccups,” she said. “Setup went without a hitch. Voters were pleasant, poll workers and techs did an outstanding job. Everything ran perfectly today. Very proud of the staff.”

She checked in at the polling site earlier in the day and was also at the Board of Elections, where people could register to vote. Some registrations came from portals and some from walk-ins, for a total of about 50 for the day, she said.

Alicia Catlin was the election technician for polling, and will be one of three for the nine-day duration. There were 10 inspectors and three coordinators also working with her Saturday, she said.

With about 90 minutes to go, they had clocked “just over 1,000 so far,” she said. 

“It has been crazy,” Catlin said. “We had a line at 8:30 this morning. I’m happy, I’ve been keeping my fingers crossed.”

The place seemed like a well-oiled machine just past 3:15 p.m., as people still trickled in, checking in, getting their voting forms, taking a seat at the privacy voting tables and then submitting their own forms through the scanner. 

County officials have said that presidential elections draw the most people out to vote, and this year is to be no exception. It has been a hotly contested race between non-incumbents Donald Trump and J.D. Vance on the Republican and Conservative tickets and Kamala Harris and Tim Walz on the Democratic and Working Families lines vying for president of the United States.

Patrick and Karen Herron of Le Roy were satisfied with how well it was operated, and glad they got their voting over with.

“It’s great, especially for people that work. And that was easy,” Karen Herron said. “It seems that it was pretty regulated. This is a very important election.”

Her husband Patrick said it was a first time for them early voting, and he did so because that’s what the Republican Party had asked of its members. 

“And anyone that can vote should do so,” he said, listing some concerns of immigration, the high cost of goods, and turmoil in the Middle East. “There’s a lot of chaos that shouldn’t be.”

Early voting continues at the ARC Community Center, 38 Woodrow Road, Batavia with the following schedule:

• Monday, Oct. 28: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Tuesday, Oct. 29: 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• Wednesday, Oct. 30: 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• Thursday, Oct. 31: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

• Friday, Nov. 1: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

• Saturday, Nov. 2: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

• Sunday, Nov. 3: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

For additional information about this year’s election, sample ballots and Election Day, go to the Board of Elections. 

Press Release:

As the Presidential Primary approaches on April 2, the Genesee County Board of Elections is providing essential information and deadlines for voters in Genesee County.

Primary Eligibility:

New York State operates as a closed Primary State. Only registered Republicans and Democrats are eligible to cast their votes in the upcoming April 2 Primary Election.

Early Voting:

Early voting will be available for eight days, from March 23 through March 30. The designated early voting site is the ARC Community Center at 38 Woodrow Rd., Batavia.

• Saturday, March 23: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Sunday, March 24: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Monday, March 25: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 26: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 27: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
• Thursday, March 28: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Friday, March 29: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Saturday, March 30: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Please note that there will be no early voting on Easter Sunday. However, an additional hour has been allocated to the preceding eight days.

Polling Information:

All polling sites will be operational on April 2 from 6 a.m. - 9 p.m. and are fully accessible. Voters can verify their designated poll site at voterlookup.elections.ny.gov or contact the Genesee County Board of Elections at (585) 815-7804. 

Absentee Ballot Information: 

Absentee ballots are available upon request for those unable to vote in person. Contact the Board of Elections or utilize the NY State Portal at absenteeballot.elections.ny.gov. Important deadlines for absentee ballots are as follows:

• March 23: Last day for the Board of Elections to receive an absentee ballot application. 
• April 1: Last day to apply for an absentee ballot in person.
• April 2: Last day to postmark a ballot. The Board of Elections must receive ballots by April 9. 
• April 9: Military/Special Federal absentee ballots must be received by this date.

Registration Deadlines:

Voter registration applications must be received by the Board of Elections by March 23 to participate in the presidential primary.

In-Person Registration:

In-person registration is available at the Genesee County Board of Elections or any state agency participating in the National Voter Registration Act. However, applications must be received by March 23 to be eligible for the Presidential Primary.

On Saturday, March 23, the Board of Elections will be open from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. for registrations.

Please note that the west door (handicap accessible) will be the sole entry point into County Building 1, located at 15 Main St., Batavia.

Please contact the Genesee County Board of Elections for further inquiries or assistance. 

Genesee County Board of Elections 

• Phone: (585) 815-7804 
• Location: 15 Main St., Batavia, NY 14020
• Website: https://www.co.genesee.ny.us/departments/elections/index.php

A waste of time and money?

Genesee County governmental leaders on Wednesday expressed their public displeasure over the extremely low early voting turnout prior to Tuesday’s Republican Primary races in the towns of Bethany, Byron and Stafford.

County Manager Matt Landers reported that only six people took advantage of the nine days of early voting – all of them casting their ballots in the Town of Stafford, which held a primary for the position of town clerk.

“The other two races had zero voters even though we had nine days of early voting – at a not cheap cost” (to those municipalities), he said. “So, some food for thought.”

Landers said the county will “charge back” expenses (personnel, etc.) for the early voting at the ARC Community Center in Batavia to the towns. He explained that the three towns will pay proportionally based on the total number of registered voters in the municipalities, not by the number of people who voted.

He said he expects the total cost to be several thousand dollars considering that four election workers were called to duty each day under supervision of both Republican and Democrat commissioners.

Upon hearing that just six early votes were cast, Legislator Marianne Clattenburg brought up that Democrat lawmakers in Washington have been promoting “a one size fits all” voting reform.

“This is a perfect example of how that does not (fit),” she said.

That prompted Landers to say that while the county conducted nine days of early voting, “there’s a push to make it 15 days …”

Legislature Chair Rochelle Stein said calls and/or letters to state and federal representatives are in order.

“I think that would be incumbent upon us to alert our representatives, both in the state and federal government … as an example of funds that aren’t being used in the manner that is prescribed and the value of those funds being used,” she said.

In another development, Mental Health Director Lynda Battaglia reported that the department’s application for a mobile access program has been accepted.

“This is an exciting opportunity to change how we deliver crisis service at the times that people need this service the most,” Landers said. “We look forward to seeing the results of that program.”

A key feature of the mobile access program is the use of an iPad for mental health crisis response with law enforcement personnel on-site.

Press release:

Press release:

EARLY VOTING REMINDER to Republican Primary Voters in Bethany, Byron and Stafford

The location for Early Voting has changed. Early Voting has moved from County Building #2 to the ARC Community Center, 38 Woodrow Road, Batavia.

Contests are ONLY for registered Republicans in Bethany, Byron and Stafford. No other jurisdictions have contests.

Registered Republican voters from those three communities can plan to vote early, if they wish, at the ARC Community Center during the following dates and times:

• June 12 -- 12 to 5 p.m.
• June 13 -- 12 to 5 p.m.
• June 14 -- 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• June 15 -- 12 to 8 p.m.
• June 16 -- 12 to 8 p.m.
• June 17 -- 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• June 18 -- 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• June 19 -- 12 to 5 p.m.
• June 20 -- 12 to 5 p.m.

Primary Election Day is Tuesday, June 22nd, from 6 a.m. - 9 p.m. for the Republican contests in the three jurisdictions: Bethany (Bethany Community Center 10510 Bethany Center Road); Byron (Byron Town Hall, 7028 Route 237); and Stafford (New Town Hall, 8903 Route 237).

There are no contests in any other Genesee County towns or in the city.

Press release:

Local Primary Election Information, Absentee Deadlines

Early Voting Poll Site, Dates and Times

Local Republican Primaries in Bethany, Byron and Stafford ONLY – There are three local Republican Primary Election contests in the towns of Bethany, Byron and Stafford. There are no countywide contests. Because New York State is a closed Primary state, only registered Republicans, living in those jurisdictions, can vote in these elections.

Registration deadline for the Primary – May 28 is the last day to postmark an application to register to vote and to register in person. Registration forms can be found on our website at many public offices, and by calling (585) 815-7804 and requesting a registration form be sent.

Mail registration forms must be received at Board of Elections by June 2 to be eligible to vote. There is a blackout period for changing Party affiliation prior to these Primary elections; therefore any change will not go into effect until after the Primary.

Absentee Voting for the Primary Election

• June 15 is the last day to postmark, email or fax application for a Primary ballot;
• June 21 is the last day to apply in person for a Primary ballot;
• June 22 is the last day to postmark the ballot;
• It must be received by the Genesee County Board of Elections no later than June 29.

There will be an accessible Ballot Marking Device set up for the disabled at the County Board of Elections, 15 Main St., Batavia, for anyone who wishes to vote absentee from our office.

Early Voting

Early Voting is available for the Republican Primary voters in the towns of Bethany, Byron and Stafford. The Early Voting location is The ARC Community Center, 38 Woodrow Road, Batavia.

Saturday, June 12        12 – 5 p.m.
Sunday, June 13          12 – 5 p.m.
Monday, June 14          9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tuesday, June 15        12 – 8 p.m.
Wednesday, June 16   12 – 8 p.m.
Thursday, June 17         9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday, June 18             9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday, June 19        12 – 5 p.m.
Sunday, June 20          12 – 5 p.m.

Primary Election Day

Tuesday, June 22   --   Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.  

Photo and press release from the Genesee County Board of Elections:

Genesee County Board of Elections is pleased to announce that they will be rolling out their new electronic poll books for the upcoming election, beginning with Early Voting this Saturday, Oct. 24.

The new election management tool allows jurisdictions to see voter turnout in near real-time, monitor the status of the Poll Pads, and remotely lock or disable a Poll Pad if there is a security issue at a polling place.

 All Poll Pads connect to a web-based monitoring platform, via Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity, which is built into the Apple iPad. It never connects to the internet.

Voters will have the ability to check into their polling location just as they always have -- by giving their name and address to the Table Inspectors. The difference is now they will sign the poll pad instead of the big books. Voters will continue to use paper ballots for all voting. 

Most of the counties in New York State have already moved ahead with poll pads and eliminated the wait times and the waste that were caused with the old fashion poll books.

These are simple to use and created with security in mind. Because they do not connect directly to the internet, makes them even more protected.

From The Genesee County Board of Elections:

Early Voting

General Election Early Voting begins this Saturday, Oct. 24^th and will run for nine days prior to the General Election. The Early Voting location is at County Building 2, 3837 W. Main Street Road, Batavia.

The schedule for Early Voting is as follows:

• Oct. 24th -- 12 to 5 p.m.
• Oct. 25th -- 12 to 5 p.m.
• Oct. 26th  -- 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Oct. 27th -- 12 to 8 p.m.
• Oct. 28th -- 12 to 8 p.m.
• Oct. 29th --  9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Oct. 30th --  9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Oct. 31st -- 12 to 5 p.m.
• Nov. 1st -- 12 to 5 p.m.

Public transportation to County Building 2 is available (fees are applicable) only for the weekday voting until 3 p.m. through Dial-A-Ride by appointment with RTS by calling (585) 343-3079 one day in advance.

Absentee Application Deadlines

The last day to postmark an application for an absentee ballot is Oct. 27^th and the last day to postmark an absentee ballot is Nov. 3^rd (Election Day).

Absentee applications can be applied for over the phone until Oct. 27^th by calling Board of Elections at (585) 815-7804. After the 27^th, applications will have to be filled out in person at Board of Elections, 15 Main St., Batavia, up until Nov. 2^nd.

Absentee ballots may be dropped off in person at Board of Elections up until close of polls on Nov. 3^rd (9 p.m.) or in any polling site absentee drop box – please ask a poll worker for assistance. If mailing an absentee ballot, it must be postmarked on or before Nov. 3^rd and returned no later than Nov. 10^th. 

Election Day Voting
All poll sites will be open on Tuesday, Nov. 3^rd from 6 a.m. – 9 p.m. If you have any questions regarding your poll site please call Board of Elections at (585) 815-7804.

From Genesee County Board of Elections, commissioners Richard Siebert and Lorie Longhany:

Reminders*:

• Voters can register for the NY-27 Special Election up until Friday, June 12, at the Board of Elections office at County Building 1, 15 Main St., Batavia.
• The last day to register in person to vote in the NY-27 Special Election is June 13 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at County Building 2, 3837 W. Main Street Road, Batavia.

​EARLY IN-PERSON VOTING

Early in-person voting for the NY-27 Special Election, the Presidential Primary Election and State Primary Elections begins this Saturday, June 13 and continues for nine days. The early in-person voting location is at County Building 2, 3837 W. Main Street Road, Batavia.

The schedule for early in-person voting is as follows:

June 13 ^--- 12 to 5 p.m.

June 14 ^--- 12 to 5 p.m.

June 15 ^--- 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

June 16 ^--- 12 to 8 p.m.

June 17 --- 12 to 8 p.m.

June 18 ^--- 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

June 19 ^--- 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

June 20 ^--- 12 to 5 p.m.

June 21 ^--- 12 to 5 p.m.

​ABSENTEE BALLOTS

• Written requests for absentee ballots for the NY-27 Special Election, Presidential Primary and State Primary elections must be postmarked by June 16.

• ​You can also request an absentee ballot via email or phone or FAX:  election@co.genesee.ny.us / Phone (585) 815-7804 / FAX (585) 344-8562.

• You can pick up an absentee ballot ​in person no later than June 22 by going to the Board of Elections (County Building 1, 15 Main St., Batavia).

• ​Any absentee ballot being mailed back to the county Board of Elections must be postmarked no later than June 23.

*(From a previous reminder April 24 to voters from the Genesee County Board of Elections: You can vote absentee instead of going to the polls on June 23rd by going to our website, going to departments and elections where you can print an absentee application. Fill it out checking the box that says temporary illness in the first block of questions and in the second block of questions check Primary Election only. You can also call our office at (585) 815-7804 to request an absentee application. After filling out your absentee application you can either mail it in to the Genesee County Board of Elections, or scan and email your application back into our office for processing. Our email address is:   election@co.genesee.ny.us Visit our Facebook Page for updates at Genesee Co. NY Board of Elections.)                                                                              

Press release:

Early voting for the Nov. 5 General Election continues through the weekend at County Building 2, located at 3837 W. Main Street Road, in the Town of Batavia.

Early poll hours are:

Today -- Wednesday, Oct. 30th -- now until 8 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 31st -- 12 to 8 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 1st -- 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 2nd -- 12 to 5 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 3rd -- 12 to 5 p.m.

All registered voters from Genesee County can vote early at County Building 2. The Early Voting location is accessible to the disabled.

Please contact the Genesee County Board of Elections at (585) 815-7804 with any questions. www.co.genesee.ny.us

Lorie J. Longhany -- Democratic Commissioner

Richard E. Siebert --  Republican Commissioner

Press release:

The Genesee County Democratic Committee invites the community to celebrate early voting and meet their local candidates. 

On Saturday, Oct. 26th, the Genesee County Democratic Committee invites the community to celebrate early voting and meet their local candidates. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the War of 1812 Bicentennial Peace Garden. It is located at 117-123 W. Main St. in Batavia. 

“For the first time in history, voters in New York State have the opportunity to vote early, and it’s a really big deal,” said City of Batavia Democratic Chair, Erica Donnell. “Voting rights activists have been fighting for this for a very long time and now that we have a Democratic majority in Albany, we finally got the job done.

"The first day of early voting is October 26th so we felt that would be a great day for our candidates to get together with voters and celebrate this accomplishment.” 

For more information about early voting visit geneseedemocrats.net. 

Voters will also have the opportunity to meet some of the endorsed Democratic candidates running for office this year. 

Chair of the Genesee County Democrats and Darien Town Board Member Michael Plitt says, “National politics seem to suck all of the oxygen out of the room these days, but if you really want to participate in democracy, the local level is the place to do it.

"When I knock on doors I like talking to voters about the things in their community that matters to them and where their vote can really make a difference.”

Participating candidates include City Court Judge candidate Benjamin Bonarigo, Ward 3 City Council candidate Nick Russo, Ward 5 City Council candidate Sammy DiSalvo, Darien Town Board Member Plitt, and others. Light refreshments will be provided.

From the Genesee County Board of Elections regarding early voting:

Beginning this year for the General Election on Nov. 5, all registered voters can vote early, in person, before Election Day.

Genesee County voters can vote early in the main meeting room right off the lobby at County Building 2, 3837 W. Main Street Road, Batavia. The Genesee County early voting site is accessible to voters with disabilities.

The dates and times of early voting are:

Saturday, Oct. 26: 12 – 5 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 27: 12 – 5 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 28: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 29: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 30: 12 – 8 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 31: 12 – 8 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 1: 9 a.m. -- 5 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 2: 12 – 5 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 3: 12 – 5 p.m.

Voting during early voting will be the same as Election Day. When you arrive at the early voting center you will check in to vote, receive your ballot and vote like you do on Election Day.

ONCE YOU VOTE EARLY -- YOU WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE ON ELECTION DAY.

Early voting votes will be reported as unofficial results after 9 p.m. on Election Day. You will be able to check our website for unofficial results at www.genesee.ny.us

Official results will be available after our re-canvass, which will be posted a week to 10 days after the General Election after absentee and military ballots are counted.

Votes will not be tallied at the end of each early voting day, nor will they be tallied on the last day of voting.

Absentee ballots will continue to be available if you will be out of Genesee County, if you are permanently or temporarily disabled, ill, a caregiver for one or more people who are ill or disabled, or detained in jail awaiting Grand Jury action, or incarcerated for an offense other than a felony.

• You can contact the Genesee County Board of Elections with any questions or to request an absentee ballot at (585) 815-7804.