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How to check the status of your absentee ballot in Western New York

Posted at 12:23 PM, Oct 29, 2020
and last updated 2020-10-29 12:27:28-04

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Nationwide, more than one-third of registered voters had cast their ballot by Wednesday, either through early in-person voting or absentee ballots.

By Wednesday in Western New York,about 11.8% of registered voters had cast their ballots either through early voting or absentee ballots.

Some states, including California, Colorado, and Massachusetts, allow absentee ballot voters to check the status of their vote online using a statewide lookup tool. However, in New York State, the state board of elections only offers a statewide online tool for military and overseas absentee ballot voters. If you are serving in the military or living overseas, you can check your status here.

All other absentee ballots are tracked through local and county boards of elections, and not all boards offer online tools. Below is a county-by-county look at how to cast your ballot in New York State:

Allegany
No online tool available.
Contact the Board of Elections by phone at 585-268-9294 or email ACBOE@alleganyco.com.

Cattaraugus
No online tool available.
Contact the Board of Elections at 716-938-2400

Chautauqua
Online tool available here.

Erie
Online tool available here.

Genesee
No online tool available.
Contact the Board of Elections at 585-815-7804 or email election@co.genesee.ny.us.

Niagara
Online tool available here.

Orleans
No online tool available.
Contact the Board of Elections at 585-589-3274.

Wyoming
No online tool available.
Contact the Board of Elections at 585-786-8931.

In addition to providing information about your ballot's status, your local board of elections can also help you navigate any issues, including a missing ballot.

Voters with absentee ballots can change their mind and vote in person. When absentee ballots are counted, the state board of elections first checks the poll books from in-person voting. Voters who choose to vote at a polling site instead will have their mailed-in ballot set aside. This prevents a voter from casting two ballots. More answers to frequently asked questions can be found on the New York State Board of Elections' website.