2020 ELECTION INFORMATION

As a public service, 95.7, The Big Pig is publishing the following information about the November 3rd Election.  There is specific information about voting in Cattaraugus County.  If you have any questions, contact the County Board of Elections!

The General Election takes place Tuesday, November 3rd…the polls will be open from 6:00am-9:00pm in all election districts.  COVID-19 precautions will be closely monitored…wear a mask, and practice social distancing

Voter Registration Forms must be postmarked No Later Than October 9.  Applications may be made in person at the Board of Elections until October 9.  If  you live in Cattaraugus County, and change your residence to another location in the county, you must submit an updated registration form by October 14.  The forms are available at any local post office, or at your local city, town or village Clerk’s Office.  You can also make the change in person at the Board of Elections Office, located at 207 Rock City Street, in Little Valley.  You can also download the forms by going to www.cattco.org/board-elections.

To apply for an Absentee Ballot, a voter must 1) be absent from the county on Election Day…2) Unable to appear due to temporary or permanent illness or disability.  This includes being unable to appear due to the risk of contracting or spreading the COVID-19 virus, or any other communicable disease…3)  Unable to appear because you are a primary caregiver to one or more individuals who are ill or physically disabled…4)  A resident or patient of a VA Hospital…5)  Detained in jail awaiting Grand Jury action, or confined to prison for a non-felony conviction.

Voters can apply for an absentee ballot electronically, by sending an email request to the Board of Elections…by calling the Board of Elections(716)938-2404…or you can apply in person at the Board of Elections Offices.  The deadline to apply is October 27.  Completed ballots must be postmarked no later than November 3rd, 

Early Voting will begin Saturday, October 24, and go until Sunday, November 1.  The locations of polling places:

Cattaraugus County:  The JCC CUTCO Building in Olean, and the County Board of Elections Office in Little Valley.  Allegany County voters can do early voting at their County Board of Elections Office, located at 8 Willets Avenue, in Belmont.  Hours vary each day, so check the County Websites for the complete listings.

IF A VOTER COMES TO THE POLLING SITE ON ELECTION DAY, OR DURING EARLY VOTING, AND VOTES IN PERSON, THE ABSENTEE BALLOT WILL BE SET ASIDE, UNOPENED, AND NOT COUNTED.  A VOTER MAY NOT CAST A VOTE DURING EARLY VOTING, AND THEN AGAIN ON ELECTION DAY.

The Cattaraugus County Board of Elections will hold expanded hours over the next couple of weeks to assist residents with absentee ballots.  For the complete schedule, go to www.cattco.org/board-elections.

OLEAN GENERAL HOSPITAL/BRADFORD REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER PATIENT VISITATION SUSPENSION

Due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the Twin Tiers Area, Olean General Hospital and the Bradford Regional Medical Center have announced an IMMEDIATE 30-Day Suspension of patient visitations at the hospitals, thru November 5.  The ONLY exceptions are end-of-life and Obstetrics patients.

CATTARAUGUS COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT FLU SHOT CLINIC SCHEDULE

The Cattaraugus County Health Department has set up a series of flu shot clinics across the county between now and November 5.  There is a change from previous years…You must pre-register with the Health Department to receive the shot.  Register by going online to www.cattco.org/flushot, and fill out the form.

Date, Times and Locations:

Tuesday, October 13:  Randolph Municipal Building, from 2-6pm

Thursday, October 15:  John Ash Community Center, Olean, from 9-noon

Tuesday, October 20:  Salamanca Health Department Office, from 2-6pm

Thursday, October 22:  Little Valley American Legion, from 2-6pm

Tuesday, October 27:  St. Paul’s Church, Ellicottville, from 2-6pm

Wednesday, October 28: St. Bonaventure University, from 10-2pm(for SBU staff and students only)

Thursday, Octber 29:  Free Methodist Church, South Dayton, from 10-2pm

Tuesday, November 3:  JCC Olean Campus, from 11-4pm

Thursday, November 5:  Cattaraugus Ambulance Service, Cattaraugus, from 2-6pm

Most health insurance plans will cover the cost of the vaccination.  Without insurance, the shot cost $25.  For more information, call the Cattaraugus County Health Department at 1-800-251-2584.