The Ulster County Board of Elections has received numerous inquiries regarding a recent mailer sent to Ulster County voters by an entity called “The Center for Voter Information.” This mailer addresses voters and invites them to vote by mail by completing a partially filled New York State Early Mail Ballot Application. The Ulster County Board of Elections was not involved in distributing this mailer, but we are available to guide voters who have questions about the validity of this voting method.

Voting early by mail is a new option for New York State voters to cast their ballots. The application included in the mail is legitimate, and if completed and sent to the Ulster County Board of Elections, it will serve to initiate the voter’s request to vote early by mail. The voter will receive a paper ballot mailed to the address provided on the application. Ballots will be available starting Friday, September 20th, and will be mailed upon receipt and processing of the application. However, once a voter submits an application to vote by mail, they will no longer be permitted to vote at an early voting site or their assigned polling place on Election Day. Instead, they may cast an affidavit ballot at those locations if needed.

Once a voter is sent an early vote-by-mail ballot, they have until Election Day, November 5th, to postmark the ballot and return it to the Board of Elections for counting. Voters also have the option to deliver their ballot in person to the Board of Elections or any early voting or polling location in Ulster County during the early voting period (October 26-November 3), or on Election Day, November 5th. If returning in person on Election Day, the ballot must be received by 9 p.m. Postage for mail returns is prepaid.

Additionally, we have received calls from residents who have received mail addressed to individuals who no longer live at that address. Please call the Board of Elections at 845-334-5470 or email elections@co.ulster.ny.us to inform us if a voter no longer resides at your address. If you have contact information for that person, please provide it so we can begin the process of removing them from the voter roll if they are no longer qualified.

Jen Bloom, Deputy Commissioner

Kingston