Elections

General Elections

General elections are held the first Tuesday in November. National, state, county, and local officials are elected at this time. Judges to the local, county, and state courts are also elected during these election cycles. Amendments to the New York State Constitution and propositions may also appear on the ballot. Voting takes place at various polling places throughout the City.

Registration

You must be registered in order to vote in any election. Eligible voters must be a U.S. citizen, 18 years of age by election day, and be a resident of St. Lawrence County 30 days prior to the election date.

Voter Registration Form

Absentee Ballots

Qualifications for Absentee, Military, and Federal Voters

A voter may qualify to vote by absentee ballot if their duties, occupation, business or vacation requires them to be absent from their county of residence on election day or if they will be confined by illness, physical disability or for some other reason either on a temporary or permanent basis.

Regular

These are voters who on Election Day or Primary Day are out of the county, temporarily ill, detained in jail awaiting Grand Jury action or confined in prison after conviction for an offense other than a felony. Regular Absentee Ballot Applications are available by calling the St. Lawrence County Board of Elections at 315-379-2202 or you may download the Regular Absentee Ballot Application (PDF).

Permanently Disabled

These voters are on a permanent list and receive a ballot for each election. Regular Absentee Ballot Applications are available by calling the St. Lawrence County Board of Elections at 315 379-2202 or you may download the Regular Absentee Ballot Application (PDF).

Uniformed Services

Members of the Armed Forces and their family members. Federal Post Card Applications are available from your Voting Assistance Officer on base, or you can visit the U.S. Department of Defense Federal Voting Assistance Program online for forms and information, or you may download the Military Absentee Ballot (PDF).

Special Federal

U. S. citizens living abroad whose last U. S. address was in St. Lawrence County are only allowed to vote for Federal Offices. These include President, Vice President, U. S. Senator, and Congress. Federal Post Card Applications are available online from the U.S. Department of Defense Federal Voting Assistance Program, or you may download the Federal Postcard Application and Instructions (PDF).

Full Federal

New York residents still maintaining a residence but temporarily residing outside the U.S. (by virtue of education, employment or accompanying a spouse or dependent) are eligible for a full election ballot from the county in the U.S. in which they currently live. Federal Post Card Applications are available online from the U.S. Department of Defense Federal Voting Assistance Program, or you may download the Federal Postcard Application and Instructions (PDF).

How to Get An Application

Absentee ballot applications can be obtained by:

writing the Board of Elections (48 Court Street, Canton, NY 13617)
calling 315 379-2202
e-mailing your request or print one of the forms that corresponds with your needs

The City Clerk's Office acts as a liaison to the St. Lawrence County Board of Elections and only assists in the election process as directed by the County Board of Elections as a local satellite office on Election Day.