TOMPKINS COUNTY, N.Y. — Did you fill out your absentee ballot and now, after seeing an endorsement that swayed you, or seeing the behavior of either District Attorney candidate, you want to change your vote? You’re in luck!

One of the first things to be upended by the COVID-19 pandemic was the democratic process — without the ability to canvas and hold in-person events safely, candidates worked to find alternative ways to get their messages out.

To help address the issue and draw down the number of people crowding into polling places on election day, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order that saw an absentee ballot application mailed to every voter and added fear of contracting coronavirus as an acceptable reason for requesting a ballot. Many people have already received and returned those ballots.

That does not, however, exclude you from voting in person on Tuesday.

“A voter may vote in person regardless of whether or not they have voted by absentee,” Tompkins County Democratic Election Commissioner Stephen DeWitt told the Voice on Monday morning.  “If a person votes in person and by absentee ballot, we will pull the absentee ballot and not count it.”

Section 9-209of New York State Election Law state’s that, if a person was to vote in person at their polling place, among other things, their absentee ballot will be pulled from absentee ballot tallies.

The governor has also extended the date by which absentee ballots can be accepted. Ballots must be postmarked by June 23 to be accepted.

So, if you’ve had a change of heart or learned something new about a candidate, you still have options.

If you do decide to vote in person, it is important to remember that some polling places have changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Those polling places include:

  • If you voted at Kendal of Ithaca, you will vote at First Congregational Church, 309 Highland Road.
  • If you voted at St. Luke’s or at Titus Towers, you will vote at the Town of Ithaca Town Hall, 215 N. Tioga Street.
  • If you voted at West Danby Fire Station, you will vote at Danby Fire Station, 1780 Danby Road.
  • If you voted at Ellis Hollow Apartments or College Circle Apartments, you will vote at South Hill Business Campus, 950 Danby Road.

To find your polling place, and other election information, visit the Tompkins County Board of Elections website.

EDITOR’S NOTE: An earlier version of this story stated the incorrect deadline date for absentee ballots. Ballots must be postmarked by June 23.