Early voting begins on Saturday, October 23, in Albany and Rensselaer counties as voters prepare for the general election scheduled for November 4. The early voting period extends until November 2, allowing residents to cast their ballots at designated locations across their counties.
Polls will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday through Sunday. On Mondays and Wednesdays, polling hours will run from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Unlike on election day, voters can choose from multiple early voting locations, enhancing accessibility. Registered voters can verify their polling sites by visiting voterlookup.elections.ny.gov.
Rensselaer County Early Voting Details
Rensselaer County residents have three early voting sites available to them:
– The Town of Brunswick Office Building at 336 Town Office Rd., Troy
– Schodack Town Hall at 265 Schuurman Rd., Castleton
– The building at 500 Federal St., Troy
Every resident will have the opportunity to participate in key races. The county’s Executive position is contested, with incumbent Steve McLaughlin (Republican, Conservative) facing off against Tiffani Silverman (Democrat, Working Families). Additionally, voters will re-elect the entire Rensselaer County Legislature, with some running uncontested. The position of County Clerk is also up for grabs, with Frank Merola running unopposed.
In judicial matters, residents will elect a State Supreme Court Justice for the Third Judicial District, a role contested by William T. Little Jr. (Democrat, Working Families) and Dana Lynn Salazar (Republican, Conservative). Local elections also include all six district and ward seats for Troy’s City Council and the City of Rensselaer’s Common Council. Voters in Rensselaer will select a Mayor, with incumbent Mike Stammel (Republican, Conservative) challenging John DeFrancesco (Democrat, Working Families), the current City Council President.
Albany County Early Voting Locations
In Albany County, early voting will be available at seven locations:
– Albany County Board of Elections at 260 South Pearl St., Albany
– East Berne Volunteer Fire Company at 792 Helderberg Trail, East Berne
– Bethlehem Lutheran Church Parish Hall at 85 Elm Ave., Delmar
– St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Church at 440 Whitehall Rd., Albany
– Pine Grove United Methodist Church at 1580 Central Ave., Albany
– Boght Community Fire Department at 8 Preston Dr., Cohoes
– Guilderland Public Library at 2228 Western Ave., Guilderland
The county ballot includes a proposal regarding the “Amendment to Allow Olympic Sports Complex In Essex County on State Forest Preserve Land.” This measure would permit skiing and related activities on a 1,039-acre site, contingent on the state adding 2,500 acres of new forest land in the Adirondack Park.
The elections for Albany County will also feature Little and Salazar for the State Supreme Court seat. Other county-wide positions include uncontested races for Albany County Clerk, held by Bruce Hidley, two Coroner positions occupied by Paul Marra and Antonio Sturges, and a Family Court position filled by Jessica R. Wilcox.
In Watervliet, the City Council will see changes with the retirement of Councilmember Barbara Diamond, leading to the Democratic Caucus’s endorsement of Anthony Ferrandino for the vacancy. The Albany County District 16 Legislator race includes candidates from Green Island, Watervliet, and Cohoes, though Maggie Alix (Democrat) is running uncontested.
As early voting commences, residents across both counties are encouraged to participate and make their voices heard in the upcoming general election.
