Ensuring every vote counts (Once)

With more and more people registering to vote absentee, there seems to be a growing concern over the way votes will be counted this year.

For those filing absentee ballots in the 2020 general election.

Newschannel 2's kirk tupaj tells us what those changes are and what you can expect when you go to the polls in otsego county.

There's been some changes to the new york state election laws this year.

An absentee ballot can be issued for a "temporary illness".

That would include avoiding contracting an illness or disease including covid 19.

The last day to postmark an absentee ballot is now on election day.

These reforms will expire at the end of the year.

New york is also facing a shortage of poll workers.

I spoke with the otsego county commissioner of elections about the situation in otsego county.

.

None .

None sot: michael henrici, (d) commissioner of elections otsego county we did have a few people say that they didn't want to work this year,ag earl so people we kind enou to lets know early onif thl mfortable worng this year.so ths without t much of problem.

Michael henrici doesn't expect any shortage of poll workers for election day, and is taking every precaution to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved in the election process.

Sot: michael henrici, (d) commissioner of elections otsego county all of our inspectors are going to be supplied with gloves, with masks, with face shields for the inspectors sitting at the table checking people in.

For the voters we have hand sanitizer, they'll be soap in the restrooms. we'll also have disinfecting wipes to wipe down pens and voting booths between uses and periodically throughout the day.

Same thing here at early voting.

The last day to register to vote in the general election is october 9th.

The last day to postmark an absentee ballot application is october 27th, and the last day to apply for an absentee ballot in person is november 2nd.

Sot: michael henrici, (d) commissioner of elections otsego county please apply early.

We also have early voting.

You have 9 days of early voting before election day if you're trying to avoid crowds.

That's 9 days to really kind of help us spread people out.

That much we can reduce crowd sizes on each individual day of voting.

Sot: kirk tupaj this year there are plenty of opportunities to get your vote out.

You can acquire an absentee ballot like this one by letter, fax, or email.

You can vote early here at the meadows office complex on october 24th through november 1st, or you can vote in person on november 3rd from 6 am until 9 o'clock pm.

In otsego county, i'm kirk tupaj reporting for newschannel 2.

> coming up -- a man