Erie County Mail In Ballots Should Arrive at Your Door Next Week

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If you've been watching the mail for your official ballot, it's coming soon, and Erie County Director of Elections Tonia Fernandez said you should return it soon. "You know they're gonna arrive next week.  Make sure that you vote them, that you fill out the declaration correctly -- so signing your name, writing today's date and then getting them back in the mail as soon as possible," Fernandez said.

You can also cast an early ballot in the election office at the Erie County Courthouse, but don't expect to find a voting machine there, you will really be voting early with a mail ballot. "We have on demand mail balloting, so you come in you apply for a mail ballot we'll give you the mail ballot on demand you have to vote it, package it up correctly and then you're going to put it in our drop box," the director of elections explained.

The last day to register to vote, make an address or party change is October 21.  And if you are still 17 years old, but will be turning 18 by election day, you are eligible. "So you have to be 18 years or older, a U.S. citizen, have lived in Erie county for at least 30 days," Fernandez said.

And whether the votes come in by mail or are cast at the polls, Fernandez is convinced that they have the resources in place for the votes to be tabulated and the results to be known that night. "The board of elections has purchased a mail sorter, they purchased ballot extractors,  we're bringing in more volunteers, we've expanded our space, we've made a lot of changes, we're ready, and expect to have everything counted and tallied on Election Day," Tonia Fernandez explained with confidence.