(WENY) -- In just 40 days, the 2024 Presidential Election will take place and it will be here before we know it. Commissioners from both the Chemung and Tioga Counties Board of Elections offices shared more about what voters need to know beforehand, the process itself, and the importance of casting your vote.
Representatives from both counties say, first and foremost, you must be registered in order to vote on November 5. The last day to register is October 26 which is also the same day early voting begins.
In Chemung County, another early voting spot will open at the Fairground's Cooperative Extension building in addition to the South Main Street Board of Elections location in Elmira.
As for Tioga County (NY), election officials want to remind people who are voting early or absentee that they may not vote on the machine on election day.
So far, representatives from both counties say they are seeing an uptick in people who are registered to vote in this year's general election.
"Clearly the presidential election year draws more interest than the local elections and there is an uptick and, as I mentioned about the 2020 turnout, we expect the turnout will be high," said Jim Hare the Democratic Commissioner at the Board of Elections in Chemung County.
Hare stressed the importance of casting your vote in any and all elections. However, Hare says, this is an important one to participate in. Tioga County (NY) commissioners agreed.
"Well, voting is is really the foundation of our democratic system," said James Wahls the Democratic Commissioner at the Board of Elections in Tioga County NY. "So I mean, it's, it's, I think it's your civic duty in order to to vote. You know I've heard too many times, you know, from various people oh, you know, I'm just one person, my vote doesn't matter, but you know that's not the case. Every vote matters. The only way your vote's not going to matter is if you don't cast it."
Another big thing to pay attention to in the voting process are ballot proposals. Voters in New York State will have a few to decide on during this year's election.
For more information on these measures, voters are encouraged to check out the state's Board of Elections website, do their own research, and reach out to their local state or county election offices.