IDA COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS LAUNCHES “CHECK BOTH. VOTE BOTH. SUBMIT BOTH.” VOTER INFORMATION INITIATIVE
All Oneida County voters will receive a two-sheet ballot for the 2026 General Election.
Utica, New York — The Oneida County Board of Elections is launching a countywide voter information initiative, “CHECK BOTH. VOTE BOTH. SUBMIT BOTH.”, to prepare voters for an important change to their ballot in the November 3, 2026 General Election.
For the first time, Oneida County voters will receive a ballot consisting of two separate ballot sheets. This is not an error. Both sheets together make up the voter’s complete ballot.
The change is necessary due to the number of contests appearing on the 2026 General Election ballot. Each sheet will be clearly labeled “Ballot Sheet 1 of 2” and “Ballot Sheet 2 of 2.”
The Board of Elections is encouraging every voter to remember three simple steps:
- CHECK BOTH.
Before voting, check that you have received both ballot sheets. Review both sides of both sheets so you know which contests appear on your ballot.
- VOTE BOTH.
Make your selections on both ballot sheets in the contests in which you wish to vote. Contests may appear on both sides of a ballot sheet.
Voters are not required to vote in every contest. A voter may choose to vote in some contests and leave others blank.
- SUBMIT BOTH.
After voting, make sure both ballot sheets are submitted.
Voters casting a ballot in person should insert both sheets into the ballot scanner.
Voters casting a ballot by mail should place both sheets into their ballot oath envelope before returning their ballot.
The Board’s central message to voters is simple:
CHECK BOTH. VOTE BOTH. SUBMIT BOTH.
DON’T FORGET BALLOT SHEET 2 OF 2.
The Board of Elections will reinforce the message through its website, social media, voter outreach materials and at poll sites leading up to and throughout the General Election.
The two-sheet ballot does not change how voters mark their selections or their ability to choose which contests they wish to vote in. The Board’s goal is simply to make sure voters understand that both sheets are part of their ballot and that no voter unintentionally overlooks a contest because it appears on the second sheet.
Voters are encouraged to review their sample ballot before voting so they can become familiar with the contests that will appear on both ballot sheets.
Some important dates that voters should be aware of before the General Election are:
- October 24:
- Deadline to Register to Vote
- Deadline to Request to Receive a Ballot by Mail
- October 24 – November 1:
- Dates of Early Voting. Hours vary by day. Voters can vote early at any early voting site in the county.
- November 2:
- Deadline to Request to Pick Up a Vote by Mail Ballot IN PERSON
- November 3:
- Election Day. Polls are open from 6:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.
Sample ballots and additional election information are available at oneidacountynyvotes.gov.
###
All Oneida County voters will receive a two-sheet ballot for the 2026 General Election.
Utica, New York — The Oneida County Board of Elections is launching a countywide voter information initiative, “CHECK BOTH. VOTE BOTH. SUBMIT BOTH.”, to prepare voters for an important change to their ballot in the November 3, 2026 General Election.
For the first time, Oneida County voters will receive a ballot consisting of two separate ballot sheets. This is not an error. Both sheets together make up the voter’s complete ballot.
The change is necessary due to the number of contests appearing on the 2026 General Election ballot. Each sheet will be clearly labeled “Ballot Sheet 1 of 2” and “Ballot Sheet 2 of 2.”
The Board of Elections is encouraging every voter to remember three simple steps:
- CHECK BOTH.
Before voting, check that you have received both ballot sheets. Review both sides of both sheets so you know which contests appear on your ballot.
- VOTE BOTH.
Make your selections on both ballot sheets in the contests in which you wish to vote. Contests may appear on both sides of a ballot sheet.
Voters are not required to vote in every contest. A voter may choose to vote in some contests and leave others blank.
- SUBMIT BOTH.
After voting, make sure both ballot sheets are submitted.
Voters casting a ballot in person should insert both sheets into the ballot scanner.
Voters casting a ballot by mail should place both sheets into their ballot oath envelope before returning their ballot.
The Board’s central message to voters is simple:
CHECK BOTH. VOTE BOTH. SUBMIT BOTH.
DON’T FORGET BALLOT SHEET 2 OF 2.
The Board of Elections will reinforce the message through its website, social media, voter outreach materials and at poll sites leading up to and throughout the General Election.
The two-sheet ballot does not change how voters mark their selections or their ability to choose which contests they wish to vote in. The Board’s goal is simply to make sure voters understand that both sheets are part of their ballot and that no voter unintentionally overlooks a contest because it appears on the second sheet.
Voters are encouraged to review their sample ballot before voting so they can become familiar with the contests that will appear on both ballot sheets.
Some important dates that voters should be aware of before the General Election are:
- October 24:
- Deadline to Register to Vote
- Deadline to Request to Receive a Ballot by Mail
- October 24 – November 1:
- Dates of Early Voting. Hours vary by day. Voters can vote early at any early voting site in the county.
- November 2:
- Deadline to Request to Pick Up a Vote by Mail Ballot IN PERSON
- November 3:
- Election Day. Polls are open from 6:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.
Sample ballots and additional election information are available at oneidacountynyvotes.gov.
###
