In this March 17, 2020, file photo, hand sanitizer and stickers are set up at a polling station in Chicago. Election Day voters, whose numbers have waned in recent years because of expanded options for casting ballots, likely will be reduced even further this year with a surge in vote-by-mail popularity during a pandemic.

CHENANGO COUNTY – With just five weeks left before the General Election, Nov. 3, voters will have to decide how they plan to vote. Whether it be in person or by absentee ballot.

The New York State Board of Elections (NYSBOE) recently announced the creation of a one-stop absentee ballot web portal that will allow all registered voters to apply for an absentee ballot with a simple online form.

To visit the Absentee Ballot Request Portal visit https://www.elections.ny.gov/VotingAbsentee.html

“The portal will make it easier for New Yorkers to apply for an absentee ballot and it will also make it easier for our boards to process the applications,” said Todd D. Valentine, Co-Executive Director of the Board.

According to the NYSBOE, once the voter receives their absentee ballot, they may return in four ways.

Put it in the mail ensuring it receives a postmark no later than November 3. By bringing it to the County Board of Elections Office during regular business hours, on or before November 3. They can bringing it to an early voting poll site between October 24 and November 1, or by bringing it to a poll site on November 3 by 9 p.m.