Voting Information
Each year on the third Tuesday in May, qualified voters across New York state head to the polls to vote on their school district’s budget proposal and board candidates. The vote for the 2024-25 budget and board candidates will be held May 21, from noon until 9 p.m. at Middleburgh Junior-Senior High School Gym Lobby, 291 Main Street, Middleburgh, NY 12122.
Voter Qualifications
A person shall be entitled to vote at any school meeting or election for the election of school district officers and upon all other matters which may be brought before such meeting or election, who is:
- A citizen of the United States
- Eighteen years of age
- A resident within the district for a period of thirty (30) days next preceding the meeting or election at which he offer to vote.
- No person shall have the right to register for or vote at any school meeting or election who would not be qualified to register for or vote at an election in accordance with the provisions of section 5-106 of the election law.
Poll Registration
Anyone who meets the above criteria is “qualified” to vote on school district matters. And, in a school district which uses “poll registration” for its voters, anyone who meets these criteria is both “qualified” and “eligible” to vote.
In a poll registration system, all “qualified voters” may vote, without formal registration. The District may require such individuals to provide a form of proof of residency. Such form may include, but is not limited to:
- Copy of STAR exemption of the voter’s home
- Driver’s license
- Non-driver identification card
- Tax return
- Utility bill
- Voter registration card
All persons wishing to vote are required to provide their signature, printed name and address.
Early Voter/Absentee/Military Ballots
Applications must be received by the MCS District Clerk no earlier than April 21, 2024. Applications must be received no later than May 14, 2024 if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or no later than May 20, 2024 if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter. All ballots must be received by 5 p.m. on May 21.
Application must be received by the MCS District Clerk no earlier than April 21, 2024. Applications must be received no later than May 14, 2024 if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or no later than May 20, 2024 if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter. All ballots must be received by 5 p.m. on May 21.
MILITARY BALLOTS
Education Law makes special provisions for military voters. Military ballots need to be delivered to military voters at least 25 days before the day of the election. That means this year, we will send out military ballots by April 26, 2024.
Also, whereas early mail and absentee ballots must be received by the voter by mail or in-person, a military voter may receive their ballot application and ballot by mail, email, facsimile, or in-person. Military ballots must be received by the District clerk by mail or in person and must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on May 21, 2024 (the day of the election).
Optical Scan Voting Machines
Residents use optical scan voting machines during the annual school budget vote and board elections. These are the same machines residents use when voting in primaries and general elections in November.
For additional information, contact the district clerk Kim Lawyer by email at kim.lawyer@mcsdny.org or by phone at (518) 827-3600 x3625