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  Board Building  
   
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128 East Buffalo Street, Ithaca, New York 14850
   
 
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Information
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Voter Registration Form
Registration Information
 
New York State Voter Look Up
Voter Education (Vote-NY.com)
Frequently Asked Questions
 
 
Political Parties Info
Voting Machines
NY State Board of Elections
     
 
Phone: 607-274-5522, Fax 607-274-5533
 
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Calendar
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2009
 
  June 9 - First day to sign designating petitions. (Signature Requirements)  
July 7 - First day to sign independent nominatiing petitions. (Signature Requirements)
July 13-16 - Dates for filing designating petitions.
August 11-18 - Dates for filing independent nominating petitions.
 
September 15 - Primary Election. (if needed)
November 3 - General Election.
 
 
 

Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm

 
 

“The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a President and senators and congressmen and government officials, but the voters of this country.” Franklin D. Roosevelt

   
    Welcome!          
   

Thank you for visiting the Tompkins County Board of Elections Web site. Our office is dedicated to ensuring that all eligible residents have the opportunity to register and vote. This site includes voter forms and useful information. We are committed to keeping you aware of changes to the Election Law and how those changes affect voting in Tompkins County. As always, our office is here to assist you in any way we can.

Commissioners

Stephen M. DeWitt (D) & Elizabeth W. Cree (R)

     
   
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    BOE News:    
         
    June 5 - New issue of Tompkins County Election Worker News available.    
         
   

June 5 - Federal Judge Sharpe has approved a pilot program for New York State to begin using the new optical scan voting machines this fall. Most counties will be participating to some degree. Here in Tompkins County, we agreed to use the new system in all of the City of Ithaca poll sites. All other sites will continue to use the old lever machines, with a ballot marking device available for voters with disabilities.

We will begin a voter education program and conduct demonstrations prior to the elections to familiarize people with the new system. Our election workers will also receive extensive training. Check back here for more details as we finalize our voter ed plans.

   
         
    April 24 - State Senate begins series of five hearings across NY on election reform bills and oversight. (Press Release)    
         
    March 18 - Campaign Financial Filing Calendar available. Campaign Finance Handbook available.    
         
    March 16 - Tompkins County 2009 Political Calendar, and 2009 Offices to be Filled now available.    
                   
   

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Did You Know...

Independent Nominating Petitions

What is an Independent Nominating Petition?

An Independent Nominating Petition is a petition for a party that is not recognized by the state.  For example, the Village of Cayuga Heights has a party called the Anchor Party that candidates run under. 

Who Can Sign the Petitions? 

Any registered voter of any political affiliation within the correct district can sign an Independent Nominating Petition as long as they have not signed another petition for the same position. 

A person who signs must be registered at the time of signing.  You may register voters as you pass petitions, however, they CANNOT sign the petition until the registration form is on file with the Board of Elections.  You will have to go back to that house at a later date to get their signature.

Who Can Pass the Petitions?

If you can sign a petition, then you can pass it.  The same rules apply.  However, you cannot sign a petition you are passing.  You MUST sign a petition that is being witnessed by someone else.  You cannot pass an independent petition if you signed a designating petition.

How Do You Know Who Can Sign?

A list of registered voters can be obtained from the Board of Elections at any time.  You can also purchase a disk and create your own lists.  It is safest only to obtain signatures from names on that list. 

Blank Petitions and other Forms (State Board web site)

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Ballots

Click on above link for an interesting article in Microsoft Encarta's Online Encyclopedia about the history of ballots.

   
 
           
       
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The Board of Elections meets the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of every month at 10:00 am in conference room 103 at the Board office, 128 E. Buffalo St. The public is invited to attend.
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For questions on content or to report invalid links on the Board of Elections web site, please contact webmaster Tom M. Paolangeli.

Last Updated June 5, 2009

           
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