Voter Registration Day

There is still time to register to vote in the upcoming general election on November 3! You can get a Voter Registration Form and/or an Absentee Ballot Application from the Office of Student Advocacy and Accountability (Union 218), Accommodative Services (Sisson S128) or outside the Union mailroom. Registration Forms must be received by a board of elections no later than October 24, 2026 to be eligible to vote in the November 3 General Election. See more details on registering to vote in New York State, absentee ballots, and voting in Potsdam versus voting in your hometown below.

 

NOTE: This information is based on NYS election procedures. If you live out of state, contact your state’s Board of Elections for voter information. For questions contact Patrick Meldrim, Director of Student Advocacy and Accountability in Barrington 218; 315-267-2579.

 

NYS Voter Registration Forms: 

Where Can I find Voter Registration Forms? 

1. Online
2. At your County Board of Elections.
3. On campus at the Office of Student Advocacy and Accountability (Barrington Student Union 218), Accommodative Services (Sisson 128), or outside the Student Union mailroom. 

You Should Fill Out a Voter Registration Form If: 

1. You have never registered to vote,
2. You need to change your address or name, or
3. You want to enroll or change your political party.

Pointers For Filling Out the Form: 

1. College students can register to vote in Potsdam OR at home. 
2. If you are registering to vote in Potsdam AND you live on campus, you must list your Residence Hall room as the “Address where you live” (e.g. 1055 Bowman East) and your Barrington Address as the address “Where you get your mail.” 
3. You must provide either your DMV license number or the last four digits of your Social Security number (or indicate you don’t have either) for your form to be processed. 
4. You will not be registered to vote if you do not sign the form. 

Submit Your Form: 

Voter Registration forms need to be sent to the Board of Elections in the county in which you are registering to vote. The address should be on the form, but can also be look up the county board of elections address on line.  Applications must be received by a board of elections no later than October 24, 2026 to be eligible to vote in the November 3 General Election. 

How Do I Know It Worked: 

You will receive a voter registration card in the mail. You can also check your registration status and polling station online.  

 

Absentee Ballots:

Who Is Eligible to Vote By Absentee Ballot? 

Anyone who is registered to vote at an address outside of St. Lawrence County will need to vote by absentee ballot. 

Note: If you are registered to vote at your home address and that address is within St. Lawerence County, you cannot vote by absentee ballot; you must travel to your hometown and vote at your polling place. 

How Do I Get an Absentee Ballot? 

You can request an absentee ballot at the NYS Board of Elections website.

 

What Are the Differences in Voting in Potsdam versus Voting in Your Hometown?

Voting Process in Potsdam: You will vote in your assigned polling place in Potsdam, which you can learn from your Voter ID card  or the NYS Board of Elections.

Local & State Politics: By registering to vote at Potsdam, you will be able to have a say on who the local and state representatives will be for Potsdam, e.g. Mayor, US Congress Representative, State Representatives, etc.

Voting Process in Your Hometown: If you live outside of St. Lawrence County, you will need to apply for an absentee ballot. Once you apply, you will receive an absentee ballot, which you must complete and mail in. If you live in St. Lawrence County, you will need to travel to your hometown to vote at your polling station. 

Local & State Politics: By registering to vote at home, you will be able to have a say on who the local and state representatives will be for your hometown, e.g. Mayor, US Congress Representative, State Representatives, etc.

 

This event is co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters and the Office of Student Advocacy & Accountabiliity.

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