Dutchess County Board of Elections Provides Guidance to Absentee and Vote-by-Mail Voters

The Dutchess County Board of Elections is emphasizing, for absentee or vote-by-mail voters, alternative methods for delivering completed ballots, beyond the United States Postal Service, such using drop boxes at early voting sites and poll sites on election day and over-the-counter absentee voting at the Board of Elections. 

“Nothing has changed in New York State election law or at the post office with respect to voting by mail in New York State, but we do want to encourage those who can, to use other methods of returning their ballots,” said Lisa Jessup, Democratic Commissioner.  “Postal delays have been an ongoing concern and we want to make sure that voters understand the alternatives.  Voters who must mail back their ballot should do as soon as possible and do so at a post office where they can obtain a postmark.”  

Republican Elections Commissioner Erik Haight added:  “I’ve always encouraged voters to show up in person either during Early Voting or on Election Day. Once the voter’s ballot is inside the voting machine it is 100 percent secure.”

On September 18^th, the Board of Elections will be issuing ballots to military and overseas voters as well as any voter who has already requested an absentee ballot for 2026. 

Also, starting September 18^th, voters may request an absentee ballot over the counter at the Board of Elections during business hours, fill out the ballot, and return it over the counter. The Dutchess County Board of Elections is located at 112 Delafield Street, Poughkeepsie and is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Monday through Friday. 

Absentee ballots may also be dropped at the Board of Elections or at any Dutchess County poll site during early voting or on election day and may be dropped by anyone.  

Said Jessup, “There are no restrictions on who can drop off your sealed ballot, so if you are unable to get to a ballot drop location, it is fine for you to give your ballot to someone you trust to drop it for you.” 

The list of candidates on the ballot in Dutchess County in 2026 and poll locations are on the Board of Elections website at elections.dutchessny.gov