To the Editor:

November 8, 2022, is Election Day. As president of the League of Women Voters of St. Lawrence County, I'd like to reassure voters that New York State elections are secure and reliable. New York’s election process is administered by a bipartisan team of election workers. Workers representing both major parties oversee ballot counting, a common practice nationwide to provide checks and balances in the election process.

Election administrators, Board of Elections employees, and poll workers have to be residents of your county. The people who run our elections are not strangers. They are members of our community – our neighbors, friends, and family.

Every step of our election process is monitored and secured, from the voter registration process to the post-election audit. The voter registration process in New York State ensures that only those meeting state eligibility requirements are able to vote, and it helps keep track of who has cast a ballot. Registered voters can vote early in person, on Election Day in person, or by absentee ballot. All absentee ballots must be returned by mail or in person.

Ballots are submitted to election machines that have been pre-approved by the NYS Board of Elections. Each piece of election equipment is tested before being used on Election Day and all voting machines are barred from connecting to the internet. Finally, all county boards of elections must conduct post-election audits to further verify results.

Early voting is available from October 29- November 6 at two locations: 42 Maple St., Potsdam (Clarkson Building) and 100 Riverside Drive, Ogdensburg (Dobisky Center). Polls are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There are extended hours on November 1 and 3: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. On Election Day all local polling places will be open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

However you choose to cast your vote, rest assured that your vote will count, and that by voting you are making democracy work!

Kathleen Stein,
President LWV SLC
Canton