The Board of Elections is responsible for the maintenance of over 54,000 voter registration files. You should apply to register if you are not currently registered, have moved to a new address or have not voted in an election since 2016.

November 8, 2022 General Election Deadlines

MAIL REGISTRATION - Applications must be postmarked no later than October 14, 2022 and received by a board of elections no later than October 19, 2022 to be eligible to vote in the General Election.

IN PERSON REGISTRATION - You may register at your local board of elections or any state agency participating in the National Voter Registration Act, on any business day throughout the year but, to be eligible to vote in the General Election, your application must be received no later than October 14, 2022. 

CHANGE OF ADDRESS -  Notices of change of address from registered voters received by October 19, 2022 by the Board of Elections must be processed and entered in the records in time for the General Election.

ABSENTEE APPLICATION - Your application for an absentee ballot must be postmarked by October 24, 2022. The last day to apply in person for an absentee ballot is November 7, 2022. The last day to postmark your ballot is November 8, 2022 and it must be received by your local Board of Elections no later than November 15, 2022.

COVID-19 UPDATE

On August 20, 2020 NYS Election Law was amended to define the term "illness" for the purposes of absentee voting.  It includes instances where a voter is unable to appear personally at the polling place of the election district in which they are qualified voter because there is a risk of contracting or spreading a disease causing illness to the voter or to other members of the public.

You may apply for an absentee ballot under temporary illness if you wish to avoid voting in person because of COVID-19 concerns.  You may request an absentee ballot through an application in the mail/email, through an email that includes your name, date of birth, reason you are requesting, address you are registered at and the address where you wish to receive your ballot, by faxing an application to (716) 938-2775 or by utilizing the state portal to request an absentee ballot for the upcoming election.

If you have questions contact the Board of Elections at (716) 938-2400.

A voter may be eligible for an absentee ballot if he/she is absent from the county on Election Day, temporarily ill or physically disabled, permanently ill or physically disabled, have duties related to the care of one of more individuals who are ill or physically disabled, a patient or inmate in a Veterans' Administration Hospital, an inmate awaiting trial or in prison for a conviction of a crime or offense which was not a felony.

Absentee ballots will be sent to voters approximately 45 days prior to the election, please submit your request as early as possible if you fall under the above guidelines.

Absentee ballots must be postmarked on or before the election and received no later than seven days after the election, or dropped off at your local Board of Elections office, at one of your county Early Voting sites or at any of Cattaraugus County's 52 polling sites on November 2, 202.

Early Voting poll site information can be found under the Early Voting tab. If you have questions contact the Board of Elections at (716)938-2400.

In person voting will continue at your assigned poll site on Election Day from 6 am - 9 pm.  If you have questions contact the Board of Elections at (716)938-2400.

Make sure your vote counts!

These notices explain how to make sure your vote counts and how to avoid over votes (filling in too many ovals) and double votes (voting more than once for the same candidate). Read the Notice concerning overvotes and double votes.

About the Board of Elections

The Board of Elections is responsible for the maintenance of over 54,000 voter registration files. The records are maintained on a computerized central file. In addition to applying by mail, qualified individuals can register to vote at the Board of Elections office in Little Valley, and at local polling places on local registration days. The Board processes approximately 4,000 new registration applications annually.

You should apply to register if you are not currently registered or have moved to a new address.

The Board of Elections is directed by the New York State Election Law in the conduct of elections. The ballot is prepared and distributed by this Board. Persons who are unable to appear personally at the polls due to absence from the County, illness or permanent disability may apply for an absentee ballot. Every effort has been made to have polling places throughout Cattaraugus County handicap accessible. All ballots, paper and machine votes are re-canvassed by the Commissioners. The results are certified and the duly elected officials are notified.