Early Voting, 2026

Early Voting Sites
 All registered voters in Jefferson County may vote at any of the following Early Voting Centers during the designated Early Voting period.

🗳️ Watertown Early Voting Site

Jefferson County Office Building
 175 Arsenal Street, Watertown, NY 13601
 Parking: Free parking is available in the county lot behind the building (accessible from Sherman Street).
 ➡️ Weekday Access: Use the intercom at the lot entrance to notify the gatekeeper that you are here to vote. Please Park in the designated visitor spaces.

🔍 Need Directions or Assistance?
 For help finding a voting site or to ask questions about accessibility or accommodations, contact the Jefferson County Board of Elections:
 📞 (315) 785-3027

Early Voting Dates and Times
Primary Election – Tuesday, June 23, 2026 Polls will be open from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

**To vote in a Primary election, you must be registered in the party having the primary. The deadline to change your party is Saturday, February 14.**

Early Voting in Jefferson County will be available for nine consecutive days prior to Election Day. All registered voters may vote at any designated Early Voting Center in the county during the following dates and hours:

📍 Note: You may vote at any Early Voting Center in Jefferson County, regardless of your assigned polling place for Election Day.

What is Early Voting?

Early Voting provides voters with the opportunity to cast their ballot in person during a nine-day period prior to Election Day. During this time, you may vote at any designated Early Voting Center within your jurisdiction.

Voting during the Early Voting period is the same as voting on Election Day, your vote will be counted. All ballots cast during Early Voting will be securely stored and canvassed after 9:00 p.m. on Election Day.

Please note: On Election Day, polling places are open from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Who Can Vote Early?

All registered voters in Jefferson County are eligible to vote during the Early Voting period. You may cast your ballot at any one of the designated Early Voting Centers located throughout the county, regardless of your residential address within Jefferson County.

When Can I Vote Early?

Early Voting dates vary by election. For 2026, the Early Voting periods are as follows:

Primary Election: Saturday, June 13 – Sunday, June 21

General Election: Saturday, October 24 – Sunday, November 1

During these dates, Early Voting Center(s) will be open daily.

Absentee and Early Vote by Mail Ballots

Who May Apply for an Absentee Ballot?
You may be eligible to vote by absentee ballot if you meet one of the following criteria:

• You will be absent from your county on Election Day.
   (Note: For residents of New York City, this means absence from all five boroughs.)
• You are unable to appear at the polls due to temporary or permanent illness or disability.
• You are the primary caregiver for one or more individuals who are ill or physically disabled.
• You are a resident or patient of a Veterans Health Administration Hospital.
• You are currently in jail or prison for a reason other than a felony conviction.
   (This includes individuals awaiting grand jury action, awaiting trial, or serving a sentence for a misdemeanor.)

Who May Apply for an Early Mail Ballot?
 Any registered voter may apply for an early mail ballot, regardless of reason. Each voter must submit their own application.

⚠️ Please note: It is a felony offense to make a false statement on an early mail ballot application, to attempt to cast an illegal ballot, or to assist another person in doing so.

Need Assistance?
 If you have any questions about Early Voting, Absentee Ballots, or Early Mail Ballots, please contact the Jefferson County Board of Elections at:
 📞 (315) 785-3027