County to cover ballot postage

The County Legislature and Board of Elections will provide prepaid postage on all absentee ballot return envelopes for this November’s election.

The decision is meant to reduce barriers to voting and make it easier for voters who might not be comfortable voting in person with a rise in coronavirus cases locally and nationwide.

Registered voters are eligible to receive an absentee ballot for multiple reasons, including the risk of contracting or spreading the coronavirus. Last year the county saw a record number of voters choose to vote via absentee ballot.

Voters can apply for an absentee ballot by mail; through the absentee portal on the state Board of Elections website; in person at the Albany County Board of Elections offices located at 260 S. Pearl St. in Albany; or they can assign someone to bring the application in-person to the board’s offices and receive the ballot.

All applications for absentee ballots must be received by Oct. 18.