Board of Elections: General Election Press Release

Please see below for a press release from the Oneida County Board of Elections regarding the upcoming 2026 General Election. Also attached are flyers for early voting and regarding the two sheet ballots this year in Oneida County!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

10/21/2026
 

Oneida County Board of Elections Reminds Voters of Key Dates and Information for the November 3, 2026 General Election

Utica, NY – The Oneida County Board of Elections is reminding voters of important dates and information for the upcoming General Election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, including an important change to this year’s ballot.

Two-Sheet Ballot: Confirm Both. Vote Both. Submit Both.

For the first time, Oneida County voters will receive a ballot consisting of two separate ballot sheets for the 2026 General Election due to the number of contests appearing on the ballot. This is not an error. Both sheets together make up the ballot.

Each ballot sheet will be clearly labeled “Ballot Sheet 1 of 2” and “Ballot Sheet 2 of 2.” Voters should remember the Board of Elections’ three-step message:

CONFIRM BOTH – Confirm that you have received both sheets of your ballot and review both sides of both sheets.

VOTE BOTH – Make your selections on both sheets in the contests in which you wish to vote. There may be contests on both sides of the ballot sheets. Voters are not required to vote in every contest.

SUBMIT BOTH – When you are finished voting, insert both ballot sheets into the ballot scanner if voting in person or place both ballot sheets into your ballot return envelope if voting by mail.

Sample Ballots

Voters are encouraged to review their sample ballot before voting to familiarize themselves with the contests that will appear on both ballot sheets. Sample ballots can be viewed on the Oneida County Board of Elections website at OneidaCountyNYVotes.gov.

Voter Registration Deadline

The deadline for registering to vote in time for the General Election is Saturday, October 24, 2026. Voter registration applications must be received by the Board of Elections by this date. Voters are encouraged to confirm their registration status before Election Day and make sure their residential address and other voter information are current by visiting voterlookup.elections.ny.gov/.

Voting by Mail

The deadline for the Board of Elections to receive an application for a ballot to be mailed to a voter is Saturday, October 24, 2026. Voters may also apply for an early mail or absentee ballot in person at the Oneida County Board of Elections through Monday, November 2, 2026.

Voters returning a ballot by mail should remember that both ballot sheets should be placed inside the oath envelope.

Completed ballots may be returned by:

Mailing the ballot so that it is postmarked on or before Election Day, November 3, 2026, and received within seven (7) days after the election; or

Delivering the ballot in person to the Oneida County Board of Elections, an Early Voting location during Early Voting, or an Election Day poll site in Oneida County by the close of polls on Election Day.

Voters who have requested an early mail or absentee ballot but have not yet received it are encouraged to contact the Oneida County Board of Elections at (315) 798-5765 as soon as possible. Board staff can assist voters in checking the status of their ballot and arranging for a replacement ballot, if necessary.

Voters who have not received their mail ballot can still vote in person. Voters who have been issued an early mail or absentee ballot may cast an affidavit ballot at an Early Voting location or at their assigned Election Day polling place. Affidavit ballots will be reviewed and canvassed by the Board of Elections in accordance with New York State Election Law.

The Board of Elections encourages voters not to wait until Election Day to address any issues with their mail ballot. Our staff is available to assist voters and help ensure they have an opportunity to cast their ballot in the General Election.

Early Voting

Early Voting for the General Election will begin on Saturday, October 24, 2026, and continue through Sunday, November 1, 2026. Eligible Oneida County voters may vote at any Oneida County Early Voting location, regardless of where they live within the county. Those locations are:

1)Mohawk Valley Community College, Alumni College Center Room 116

Address: 1101 Sherman Drive, Utica, NY 13501

**Please Note: Voters with disabilities or mobility issues can utilize the Voter Drive-Thru to drive up directly to the Alumni College Center entrance.

2)New Hartford Town Hall

Address: 8635 Clinton Street, New Hartford, NY 13413

3)South Rome Senior Center

Address: 112 Ridge Street, Rome, NY 13440

4)Whitestown Town Offices

Address: 8539 Clark Mills Road, Whitesboro, NY 13492

All locations will be open during the following hours:

Saturdays and Sundays: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday and Thursday: 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Election Day

General Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Poll sites throughout Oneida County will be open from 6:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Unlike Early Voting, voters casting a ballot on Election Day must vote at their assigned Election Day poll site. Voters are strongly encouraged to confirm their poll site before heading out to vote.

Voters who are in line at their polling place by 9:00 p.m. are entitled to vote. When checking in, voters will be issued two ballot sheets. After marking their ballot, voters should review both sides of both sheets and then insert both sheets separately into the ballot scanner.

Extended Hours and Where to Find Trusted Election Information

The Board of Elections will be open during all regular business hours and for extended hours during early voting and on Election Day. The public and media are encouraged to contact the Board of Elections by phone or email or visit our website for official Oneida County election information.

The Oneida County Board of Elections encourages all eligible voters to participate in the November 3 General Election and to rely on official sources for election information. For additional information, voters can visit OneidaCountyNYVotes.gov, contact the Board of Elections at (315) 798-5765, or email BoardofElections@oneidacountyny.gov.

Voters are also encouraged to follow the Oneida County Board of Elections on Facebook for election reminders and updates.