Your voice matters; your vote counts | Message from the President

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

With Election Day just four days away, please remember that each and every one of you has the power and responsibility to exercise your vote to chart your future and our nation’s path forward. Your voice matters; your vote counts. I hope you will find the following information and New York State voting tips helpful as you plan to cast your vote in the days ahead or on Election Day this Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020.

Absentee Ballots: Complete your ballot and get it in the mail today! While all ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3, it is highly recommended that all voters complete and submit their ballots as soon as possible. If you live on campus, Vote Oswego has left stamps at the front desk of all Residence Halls for absentee voters! Swing by and grab one and then head to the mailbox just outside of Culkin Hall or go directly to the Oswego post office (391 W 1st St., Oswego, NY) to mail your completed absentee ballot. Mail it now or no later than Nov. 2 to ensure it is postmarked in time.
Voting In Person: Find your assigned polling location via the NY Elections Website. For those students who have officially registered to vote with their SUNY Oswego campus address as their permanent address, your polling place is Laker Hall. This is also the polling place for many other Town of Oswego residents. The Marano Campus Center is NOT a polling place for this year’s elections. If you are registered to vote with your address “back home” – you will not be able to vote at Laker Hall.

NOTE: The Green Route that picks up at Marano Campus Center and services Rice Creek and Romney Field House will run from noon to 6 p.m. on Election Day. The bus will make continuous stops at Laker Hall during this six-hour service.
Voting Early: You may also consider early voting in the county where you are registered to vote. New York State now has early voting in all counties that runs through this Sunday, Nov. 1. Locations and times vary by county. Learn more about early voting.

Should you have any questions about the voting process, please visit the Vote Oswego website or attend an upcoming Vote Oswego “office hour session.” Register for a session below that best fits your schedule. You’ll receive a follow up email containing the session’s Zoom link.

Let’s make sure SUNY Oswego is counted among campuses that have a large part of its campus community actively participating in the democratic process through their vote. Our system of government—our way of life—requires a great deal from each of us.

Importantly, the outcome of this year’s election may take several days after Election night to determine. This year as never before, the partisan push leading up to elections must be set aside immediately after the results are known. I ask each of us to commit to mutual respect and support for each other as peers and friends. We must do the work to build understanding across political divides and help each other unite around our common principles even while we further our beliefs on how to achieve the best outcomes for the significant challenges ahead.

VOTE!

Sincerely,

Deborah F. Stanley
President