FAQs
(Q) Do I have to declare a political party?
(A) No. Registration to vote is separate from enrollment to vote. If you do not choose to “enroll” in a political party, you are registered as “No Party Selected”. Only persons who declare a party affiliation are eligible to vote in a caucus OR primary for their party.
(Q) What are the current political parties in New York State?
(A) Democrat, Republican, Independence, Conservative, Right to Life and Working Families Party
(Q) When do I need to re-register to vote?
(A) You need to re-register if you move out of the county, you change your address, you move within the county, you change your name OR you wish to change your party enrollment. Changes in enrollment are not effective until after Election Day.
(Q) What are requirements for obtaining absentee ballots?
(A) If you will not be in your county of residence on Election Day because of your occupation, business, vacation or studies, or health issues, you can request an application from the County Board of Elections to vote by absentee ballot in any primary, special or general election. If you apply by mail, you must do so at least seven days before the primary or election date. If you are applying in person, you may do so up to and including the day before the primary or election. After your application is accepted, you will receive an Absentee Ballot by mail from the Board of Elections to cast and which you can return by mail.
People who are permanently ill or disabled may receive absentee ballots for all future elections by filing only one application indicating their illness or disability in a statement from their health care provider. You will then be sent an absentee ballot for every primary, special or general election for which you qualify for as a voter.
(Q) What is a Party Caucus?
(A) A caucus is a public meeting of a town or village political party at which candidates are nominated for elective office. Only residents of the town or village who are enrolled members of the party holding the caucus may participate in the caucus. A caucus is organized by the official party members of that political unit, normally referred to as the “[Name of the political party] Town/Village…” party committee.
(Q) What is a petition and why is it used?
(A) A petition is a document signed by members of a political party (Democrat, Republican, Independent, Conservative, Right to Life and Working Families party) in support of a candidate for elective office. Once the petition is filed at the Board of Elections, the candidate name(s) are placed on the ballot for the primary or general election as a candidate on the ballot line for the political party of the signers of the petition.
(Q) How many persons need to sign a petition?
(A) The number of required signatures is set by the NYS Election Law. For town or village candidates, the number of required signatures is set by a percentage of the votes for Governor on the ballot for their political party in their town or village.
(Q) Who circulates the petition?
(A) Members of the village or town political party and/or candidates themselves are most often the persons who visit with voters to seek signatures.
(Q) How are petition signatures obtained?
(A) Petitions are most often obtained by candidates or their supporters in the spring or summer prior to primary or general elections in odd numbered years for town and county elective offices and even numbered years for state and federal elective offices.
For more information, visit http://www.co.wayne.ny.us/departments/elections/elections.htm
The mission of the Ontario Town
Democratic Committee is to ensure the continuing success of the
Democratic party and to provide the best and most responsible
government for the people of the Town of Ontario, Wayne County.