The New York State Board of Elections recently issued a press release to warn residents that individuals have been going door-to-door impersonating County Board of Elections staff. The warnings have been shared by both the Orange County and Sullivan County Boards of Elections.
These individuals are reportedly confronting voters regarding their registration status and erroneously accusing voters of committing a crime because of how they appear in the state voter database.
“We want to assure all New Yorkers that any employee of the State or County Board of Elections would conduct themselves in a professional manner and willingly present identification when engaging with voters,” said Kristen Zebrowski Stavisky, Co-Executive Director of the State Board of Elections. “When in doubt, please know you can always contact your State or County Board of Elections directly with any questions.”
Strangers who ring your doorbell or dial your telephone number aren’t always who they claim to be. The best advice we, or anyone for that matter, can give, is to NOT share any personal information with anyone whose credentials you are unsure of. You are not obligated to answer the door or pick up the phone, and you are not obligated to give any personal information, including voter registration status, to anyone.
If a voter is approached by someone claiming to be from the State or County Board of Elections, they are encouraged to immediately request identification. If the individual refuses or appears under suspicious circumstances, the State Board recommends collecting as much information as possible, not providing the individual with any personal information, and contacting local law enforcement to report the incident.
The state warns us that “Criminal impersonation in the second degree is a class A misdemeanor in New York State. The State Board of Elections remains in close communication with the County Boards and law enforcement to monitor this situation.”
If you are unsure of your registration status, or have questions about the process, contact the Orange County Board of Elections at 845-360-6500 or the Ulster County Board of Elections at 845-334-5470. Bilingual assistance is available at (855) 331-2444.
Important dates to remember:
October 23 - deadline to submit a change of address application or to submit an absentee ballot application.
October 28 - deadline to register to vote for the first time.
October 28 - November 5 - early voting takes place at various locations.
November 7 - general election; deadline to postmark absentee ballots.
November 14 - all absentee ballots must be received by this date.