New York State and Ulster County have made changes this week to expand voting options- please read below!

The SUNY New Paltz community is known for its civic engagement. In 2020 71% of SUNY New Paltz students voted, which was higher than any other SUNY. We are the only SUNY to have earned a Gold Seal from ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge.

This may be the first time you are eligible to vote or you may have questions about voting as a SUNY New Paltz student. Here is a helpful guide for first time voters in New York. If you are registered to vote, Here are some tips you need to take to vote in this election:

Make a Plan

Confirm your current registration statues and polling location at https://www.elections.ny.gov/

Unsure if you are already registered to vote, please check here.

How do you want to vote?

In-Person Early Voting: Early voting in NY State is open Saturday, October 29 through Sunday, November 6 for hours of operation click here. In Ulster County, Six early voting locations will be open, and registered voters can vote at any of the sites during their hours of operation, which have been extended for this weekend. See below.

Use this link for the addresses and operating hours for Ulster County early voting locations and this link for other counties in New York.

In-Person on November 8th: If you registered to vote locally and wish to vote in person, then you will need to make sure you verify your polling site. You can check your polling location at any time using this link. Students who live on campus who are registered to vote in New Paltz will vote in the Student Union MPR Room. Students living off campus locally will likely have a polling site in the village or town. All polling locations in NY are open from 6am-9pm on November 8th.

Absentee: If you have an absentee ballot it is strongly recommended that you drop it off in person at an early voting or Election Day polling location in your registered county due to mail delays. Skip the line and go straight to the absentee drop box.

The only way to receive an absentee ballot at this point is to make the request in person at your county Board of Elections by November 7th,2022. If you cannot pickup your ballot, you now have the right to designate someone to pick it up for you.

Celebrate: After voting absentee, early, or on Election Day stop by the Student Union HQ desk for your "I Voted" button !

Be Prepared Before Voting

Research Your Ballot: What's going to be on your ballot when you get it in the mail or step into the voting booth?

View a Sample of Your Ballot: Visit your Board of Elections website to view a sample of the actual ballot you will fill out. Don't forget to flip the ballot to check for any additional, and very important, proposals on the back.

Research Candidates and Issues: Use BallotReady to review nonpartisan information about candidates and issues on your ballot.

Be prepared for lines at the polling site: Because of social distancing and high voter turnout, be prepared to wait in line. Give yourself extra time, bring water and a snack, and dress for the weather. Vote early on Election Day (before noon) to avoid the longest lines. Remember: Don't leave the line! As long as you are in line at the time the polls close, you still get to vote.

Now that you have a plan, take the pledge to vote.

Early Voting in New Paltz

What is early voting? This is a nine (9) day period where you can vote in-person before Election Day in Ulster County. Early voting is the same as voting on Election Day. When you get to your polling location, you will check in to vote, receive your ballot and vote as you would in any other election.

Who can vote early? All registered voters.

Where can I vote early? The closest early voting location is at the
New Paltz Community Center, 3 Veterans Dr., New Paltz, NY 12561
Please note: if you vote on Election Day, November 8th, you must visit your designed polling site.

When can I vote early?- Expanded times for this weekend!
SATURDAY October 29th, 2022 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
SUNDAY October 30th , 2022 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

How can I get there?

Option 1. Ulster County Area Transit (UCAT) New Paltz Loop will be available this weekend. The bus makes several stops on campus, and is free with your student ID. Click here for schedule

Option 2. SUNY New Paltz is also proving students with free transportation to outside early voting site today located at New Paltz Community Center. Please have your New Paltz ID at hand to show the driver. See below for schedule

Additional Resources

New York State Board of Elections (http://www.elections.ny.gov/INDEX.html)

Ulster County Board of Elections (http://ulstercountyny.gov/elections)

New Paltz Campus Guidelines for Political Campaigning, Distribution of Campaign Materials and Activity (https://www.newpaltz.edu/free-speech-policies/political-activity-on-campus-/)

Students with questions about voting can email Leslie Gutierrez-Saldana, Community and Civic engagement Coordinator, at gutierrl2@newpaltz.edu

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully.
If you have accessibility questions or require accommodations to fully participate,
please contact Center for Student Engagement at cse@newpaltz.edu or 845-257-3025.

How do you want to vote?

Additional Resources

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully. If you have accessibility questions or require accommodations to fully participate, please contact Center for Student Engagement at cse@newpaltz.edu or 845-257-3025.

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully.
If you have accessibility questions or require accommodations to fully participate,
please contact Center for Student Engagement at cse@newpaltz.edu or 845-257-3025.