Dear Editor,
When most people think about Election Day this year, they think of Tuesday, Nov. 3. But in New York, voting begins much earlier.
In-person early voting for the 2026 General Election begins Saturday, Oct. 24, and continues through Sunday, Nov. 1, immediately before Election Day on Nov. 3.
But even Oct. 24 does not tell the entire story.
New York also allows any registered voter to apply for an early mail ballot. For the Nov. 3 General Election, early mail ballot materials can begin being sent to eligible voters on Sept. 18, 46 days before Election Day. That means some New Yorkers may cast their ballots weeks before in-person early voting even begins.
That changing election calendar should also change the way we think about campaigns, debates and candidate forums.
For generations, candidates could reasonably expect to spend the final weeks before Election Day making their case to voters. That makes it increasingly important for debates, candidate forums and other meaningful opportunities to hear directly from those seeking public office to take place before voting begins whenever possible.
Here in North Salem, residents will have one such opportunity. Members of the North Salem Seniors Club will have a candidate forum on Oct. 13. Those North Salem residents aged 50+ interested in attending should contact the North Salem Seniors Club directly for information about club membership and details concerning the forum.
For North Salem residents planning to vote early in person, the Somers Town House, 335 Route 202, Somers, is a nearby Westchester County Early Voting Center. Westchester voters may also vote at any of the county’s designated Early Voting Centers.
Early voting hours are:
Saturday, Oct. 24: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 25: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 26: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 27: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 28: 8 a.m.– 4 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 29: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 30: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 31: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 1: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Our election calendar has changed. Our expectations for when candidates engage with voters should change with it.
Democracy works best when voters have the information they need before they vote.
This year, don’t circle only Nov. 3rd on your calendar.
The election starts Oct. 24, and for those voting by mail, it can start even earlier.
-The North Salem Republican Town Committee
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