New Yorkers start voting today, the first day of early voting, which runs until Nov. 3. Election Day itself is Nov. 5, so we really are in the home stretch now (cue audible sigh of relief). Things always get a little crazy in the run up to big elections, especially when the presidency is up for grabs. We’re also choosing who will represent us in the House of Representatives, so the political ads are coming at us hot and heavy. As usual, we’re hearing more about why Candidate A is a threat or menace to the America we know and love, and very little about why Candidate B is the better choice.
Hey, that’s politics. But it doesn’t have to be. Today’s edition of the Cortland Standard includes our breakdown of important state and local races and decisions that you’ll face on this year’s ballot, as part of our commitment to give you the news and information you need to make informed decisions. While we won’t tell you how you should cast your vote, we will absolutely tell you that you should vote.
Ignore those who say voting doesn’t matter, as they’re dead wrong. Local elections have a direct effect on your life — taxes, the pursuit of justice, economic development and the vision for the community are all adjudicated at the ballot box. Your vote can also sway national politics, as the greater Cortland area has sent both Republicans and Democrats to represent us in Congress, and the balance of the House of Representatives could well be in our hands as the margin for control of that body is increasingly razor-thin.
That’s why our editorial board met with both Rep. Marc Molinaro (R-Catskill) and his opponent, Josh Riley (D-Ithaca), this month, and subsequently told you about their positions on issues that would directly affect your life. Both are keenly aware they represent a true swing district, and could be responsible for casting tie-breaking votes in the House. In a very real way, your vote can determine the direction our country heads in for at least the next two years.
So pay attention to what really matters. Understand that the ads you see on TV or social media are distortions — as we discussed with both Molinaro and Riley, who pushed back on the contentions being made about them in their respective attack ads. Instead, turn to a source you trust (hello, there) and read about their positions, their backgrounds and their goals without the bias. Print newspapers and their websites are almost always your best source for in-depth, non-partisan coverage, but some of the actual news segments on some television news programs can also be trusted. Eschew the opinionated talking heads, who almost always have their own agenda.
We hope all of our eligible readers are already registered to vote. Today is the deadline to register online or in person, so if you haven’t registered yet, you have until 5 p.m. today to make it to the Cortland County Board of Elections at 112 River Street, Room 103 in Cortland, or visit elections.ny.gov/voter-registration-process to register online. (Mail-in voter registrations had to be received by today.) If you’re unsure if you’re registered, visit voterlookup.elections.ny.gov/ to confirm, and it will also direct you to the appropriate polling place.
More information on early voting and requesting an absentee ballot is available at www.cortlandcountyny.gov/182/Elections.
If you’re voting in person this year, you’ll have until 9 p.m. on Election Day to cast your vote. We love it — seeing your neighbors, whether they’re there to vote themselves or volunteering as poll workers, drives home the small-d “democracy” of it all. The process is generally quick and easy, depending on the time of day. Regardless of how or for whom you vote, though, you can be confident your vote will be recorded accurately and counted in the final tally.
If you’re worried about finding the time on Election Day, you can opt for early voting, but remember — employees in New York state are generally eligible for up to two hours of paid time off to vote if they do not have “sufficient time to vote.” An employee is deemed to have “sufficient time to vote” if an employee has four consecutive hours to vote either from the opening of the polls to the beginning of their work shift, or four consecutive hours between the end of a working shift and the closing of the polls.
In the meantime, we’re still accepting politically oriented letters to the editor until noon on Tuesday. Such submissions must include your name, daytime telephone number and home address, and be no more than 200 words in length.
Read up on the issues, the candidates and to confirm your polling place in advance of Election Day. If you are unable to vote in person, early voting will still give you a voice. We don’t care how you do it, or who you vote for — just vote.
