Early voting for presidential primary opens this weekend

The presidential primary for both major political parties is coming up on April 2, and deadlines to prepare for that vote are coming up later this week. Early voting also begins this weekend.

While there are several candidates on the Republican and Democratic party lines on the ballots, all but one Republican and one Democrat have dropped out of each race. Only Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden remain, setting the country up for a repeat of the 2020 election, in which Biden beat incumbent Trump with 51.3% of the vote.

Deadlines

The last day to register to vote in the primary is Saturday, either in person or by mail.

The last day to apply for an absentee or early mail ballot in person is April 1. The last day to apply for an absentee or early mail ballot by mail is March 23.

The last day to deliver or have an absentee or early mail ballot postmarked to be counted in the election is April 2. Postmarked ballots must be received no later than April 9.

Absentee ballots can be mailed or hand delivered to any poll site or the board of elections on Election Day.

The general election is on Nov. 5. The state Board of Elections can be contacted at 518-474-1953.

The ballot

There are three candidates on the Democratic ballot — Joseph R. Biden Jr., Marianne Williamson and Dean Phillips.

Phillips dropped out on March 6 with zero delegates. Williamson suspended and then unsuspended her campaign in February. She currently has zero delegates. Biden has 2,107 delegates currently, passing the 1,968 needed for his party’s nomination. There are also 20 “uncommitted” Democratic delegates and three delegates for “others.” Uncommitted delegates can support any candidate they choose.

The Democratic ballot also includes a vote for delegates to send to the August Democratic National Convention to represent the 21st Congressional District. Voters can vote for up to five, and there are five candidates on the ballot — Michael Monescalchi, Jason Clark, Sara Idleman, Michael Zagrobelny and Lynne Boecher. These delegates will attend the DNC in Chicago to confirm the candidate choice of the voters who nominated them.

There are four candidates on the Republican ballot — Vivek Ramaswamy, Chris Christie, Nikki R. Haley and Donald J. Trump.

Ramaswamy dropped out in January with three delegates. Christie dropped out in January with zero delegates. Haley dropped out on March 6 with 94 delegates. Trump currently has 1,273 Republican delegates, passing the 1,215 needed for his party’s nomination.

Ron DeSantis dropped out in January with nine delegates.

Early Voting Sites

Early voting in St. Lawrence County will take place every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 23 to March 30. Two early voting sites will be open: the Clarkson Building (formerly a Honda Dealership) at 42 Maple St., Potsdam, and the Dobisky Center, 100 Riverside Ave, Ogdensburg.

In Jefferson County, early voting will be held at the County Office Building, 175 Arsenal St., Watertown. The site is accessible to voters with physical disabilities. Parking is available in the county lot behind the building off Sherman Street.

Jefferson County’s early voting will be open on March 23, 24, 26, 28, 29 and 30 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on March 25 and 27 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

In Lewis County, early voting will be held at the County Board of Elections Building, 7513 East State St., Lowville.

Lewis County’s early voting will be open on March 23, 24, 26, 28, 29 and 30 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on March 25 and 27 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Voters casting a ballot during early voting will not be eligible to vote on Election Day. Voters who requested an absentee or early vote-by-mail ballot will not be able to vote in person on Election Day.

Votes cast before election day during the early voting period will be canvassed and reported after 9 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, when the polls close across New York state.