Voters must apply for a general-election absentee ballot no later than seven days — Tuesday, Oct. 27 — before the election. However, they may apply in-person up to the day before the election: Monday, Nov. 2.

Voters may apply for an absentee ballot:

— Online via the New York State Board of Elections absentee application website;

— By emailing a request to the local county board of elections;

— By faxing a request to the local county board of elections;

— By going in-person to the local county board of elections;

— By mailing a paper application to the local county board of elections;

— By sending a letter to the local county board of elections. The letter must contain the voter’s name and date of birth; the address where the voter is registered; the address where the ballot is to be sent; the reason for the ballot request; and the voter’s signature.

If a voter cannot pick up his or her ballot in-person or doesn’t have the ability to receive it by mail, then that person has the right to designate someone to pick up the ballot for them.

Voters may return their ballot by:

— Putting it in the mail with a postmark no later than Nov. 3; or

— Bringing it to the local county board of elections office no later than Nov. 3.

Early voting

In Albany County, early voting begins Saturday, Oct. 24, and runs until Sunday, Nov. 1. 

Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Early voting times are as follows:

— Saturday, Oct. 24, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.;

— Sunday, Oct. 25, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.;

— Monday, Oct. 26, from noon to 8 p.m.;

— Tuesday, Oct. 27, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.;

— Wednesday, Oct. 28, from noon to 8 p.m.;

— Thursday, Oct. 29, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.;

— Friday, Oct. 30, from  9 a.m. to 5 p.m.;

— Saturday, Oct. 31, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and

— Sunday, Nov. 1, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Albany County voters may vote early at any of the following polling places:

— Guilderland Fire Department, 2303 Western Ave., Guilderland;

— Berne Volunteer Fire Company, 30 Canaday Hill Road, Berne;

— Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 85 Elm Ave., Delmar;

— Pine Grove United Methodist Church, 1580 Central Ave., Albany;

— Boght Community Fire Department, 8 Preston Drive, Cohoes; or

— Albany County Board of Elections, 224 South Pearl St., Albany