ITHACA, N.Y. –– September 22 marks National Voter Registration Day, and to honor the holiday, the local chapter of the League of Women Voters will be setting up a table outside the Tompkins County Public Library and on the Commons to register voters and distribute information on absentee voting and other relevant registration protocols for the upcoming election.
There will be a table set up on the Green Street side of the library building with registration forms and absentee ballot applications. LWV volunteers will be on hand to ensure that interested participants have all the information they need to be ready for Election Day on Nov. 3.
“We will explain to them how to apply for an absentee ballot if they want to vote by mail, give information about the places and times that they can vote early and we also tell them how to find out where their polling place is if they want to vote in person on Nov. 3,” said Sally Grubb, LWV co-president.
Keeping the pandemic in mind, Grubb said that for those interested in learning more about voter registration, pamphlets will be available to take away in order to limit time spent talking with LWV volunteers.
“We will be wearing face masks, we will be socially distancing, we will be very careful and everybody will have the opportunity to use sanitizer,” Grubb said. “We will do our best to keep everybody safe while we do this. And we as I say, we have a lot of information to hand out so if somebody doesn’t want to spend any time with us, we will still be able to give them something.”
This year’s voter registration push comes at a time when much disinformation and confusion has been spread about mail-in voting and the presidential election.
“We just want to make sure that with everything going on and how difficult access is this year and how important it is that as many people as possible be ready and able to vote…that we do what we can to help everyone access that,” Sophia McKissick, the community engagement and outreach librarian at TCPL said. “Voting is always important. But this year in particular, it’s so important to be involved and active and make sure that your voice is heard.”
LWV representatives will be outside the library and on the Commons from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sept. 22, and on Monday, Sept. 21 and Tuesday, Sept. 22 will also be on the Tompkins Cortland Community College registering students to vote.
If you are interested in filling out a voter registration form make sure to bring some sort of official identification, including but not limited to a driver’s license, permit or non-driver ID card. You’ll also need your zip code currently on record at the DMV and your Social Security number.
And as a reminder for Tompkins County residents wondering how to cast a vote this election season that won’t be able to pay a visit to the LWV’s table on the 22nd, the Ithaca Voice has compiled a brief guide on how to cast your ballot this year.