3 modalities for voting

Independent Perspective #1619

Guest:  Todd Vaarwerk

Topic:  3 modalities for voting

Duration:  06:04

Published:  October 8, 2020

Host:  Welcome to Independent Perspective, a public affairs presentation of Western New York Independent Living (WNYIL). Our guest today is Todd Vaarwerk, Chief Policy Officer with WNYIL, and your host is yours truly, Ernie Churchwell. Welcome back to the program, Todd.

Guest:  Always good to be here.

Host:  And you're with us because you are our expert in all things having to do with the political nature with the elections and similar things. And you feel that our listeners, particularly those with disabilities might know that there are many options when they want to cast their ballot for the November election. Could you lay them out for us?

Guest:  Absolutely. Well, you know, with everything going on with the pandemic, voting is even more critically important than ever but a lot of people with disabilities, senior citizens might be concerned about being able to go out and cast their ballot. And I wanted to make sure before the election, before the deadlines are passed by that we talk about all those modalities of voting. The first modality of voting works the same way, it has forever. You can go on election day to your polling place and cast your ballot. It'll work the same just as it always has, the electronic ballot marking devices will be there if you need that assistance. We just want you to remember to wear a mask. Practice social distancing and do yourself a favor bring a pen, so that the poll workers aren't going to spend all their day sterilizing pens from signing people's names into the voting books. But that's not the only way to vote. The other way of voting, that everybody knows about is absentee ballots. Now, you know from frequent listeners here, WNYIL know that I'm a fan of going to your polling place and voting and showing your neighborhood you're a participant. But any vote is a good vote, if you want to vote for a candidate you've got an issue that you care about, cast a ballot anyway you can. So, the thing to remember is you can register for an absentee ballot, because of fear of catching COVID-19. Just got to make sure that you tell your local board of elections about it by October 27, in order to get it by mail. And they'll give you all the details that you need. You can even do it online at your local board of elections. The last modality of voting we talk about is relatively new for Western New York. I think last year was the first time we did it, which was early voting. Now, early voting kind of combines both of the previous ways of voting we talked about before. You're going to go to a physical polling place in the county, and cast your ballot, and exercise social distancing. And you're going to cast the ballot, but it will be counted in the same way absentee votes are counted. Early voting is done from October 24, and it goes until November 1. Okay, and each county has locations where you can go and cast your ballot. An important thing about that, WNYIL thinks it's so important that you be able to cast your ballot, that we're also here to help people with disabilities and members of the community, get their ballots to the polling place. So, our transportation department, upon making arrangements with them, will either help you get to early voting or voting on election day. As a matter of fact, we're not doing anything else in transportation that day, or pick up your absentee ballot, and help you deliver to board elections. This is how important it is to be an informed voter and cast a ballot. Remember we don't care who you vote for as long as you cast a vote.

Host:  And we should probably mention that, for the people that want to avail themselves of the early voting which is I believe between October 24 and November 1, they have to make sure they know that the location and the times that the early voting sites are open.

Guest:  Yes, each early voting location may have different times to operate, which is why you should check with your local board of elections as to where that location is.

Host:  Indeed. Well, where can people call to get more information because I'm sure questions will come up.

Guest:  Absolutely. You can give my office a call on any of the political matters 836-0822 extension 101. For wanting to make transportation arrangements to vote or pickup your ballot, you'll definitely want to call our transportation department, 716-836-0822 extension, 150.

Host:  Or extension 108 if that's not available. Thanks so much for being here with us, Todd.

Guest:  Thank you so much.

Host:  You've been listening to Independent Perspective, a Public Affairs presentation of WNYIL. Our guest today was Todd Vaarwerk, Chief Policy Officer with WNYIL and your host was yours truly, Ernie Churchwell.