Committee of the Whole Meeting on 2026 Election Preparation – September 29, 2026

The Westchester County Board of Legislators Committee of the Whole met on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at 11:00 AM in the Committee Room at the Michaelian Office Building, White Plains, to discuss the upcoming general election. The meeting featured presentations from the Westchester County Board of Elections (BOE) Commissioners – Democratic Commissioner Tajian Nelson and Republican Commissioner Douglas Colety – and representatives from the League of Women Voters of Northwest Westchester, including President Kathy Meany. The discussion focused on voter registration, vote-by-mail procedures, election security, and efforts to counter misinformation. No legislative votes were taken; the meeting adjourned at 12:40 PM.

Discussion Items

• Voter Registration & Deadlines: Commissioner Nelson noted that the last day to register to vote is Saturday, October 24, 2026, which coincides with the first day of early voting. Voters can register in person at the BOE, at any of the 25 early voting sites (where they can also register and vote the same day via affidavit ballot), or online via the New York State Board of Elections website. Registration through the DMV online system must be completed by October 23 to ensure data transfer.
• Vote-by-Mail Options: Two types of mail ballots exist: early mail (no excuse required) and absentee (requires an excuse such as illness, disability, or military service). All registered voters are eligible for either. Applications for mail ballots can be submitted online, in person at the BOE (445 Hamilton Avenue, White Plains), or by mail. The deadline to apply is October 24, but voters can apply in person at the BOE from October 25 through November 2. Ballots may be returned via USPS (must be postmarked by Election Day and received within a week), dropped off at the BOE or any early voting site, or handed to a trusted person (no limit on number of ballots one person may drop off). There is no prohibition on candidates or public officials dropping off ballots.
• Statistics & Reports: As of about a week before the meeting, Westchester County had approximately 640,000 registered active voters out of a population of about 1 million. Party breakdown: 317,034 Democrats, 122,369 Republicans, 6,957 Conservatives, 2,286 Working Families, and 191,874 non-affiliated. Absentee ballot requests totaled 18,117 (11,714 Democrats, 2,483 Republicans, 151 Conservative, 46 Working Families, 6,206 non-party). By congressional district: 10,555 requests in the 16th District, 7,562 in the 17th. These numbers are fluid.
• Ballot Cure Process: If a mail ballot has a signature mismatch or other issue, voters receive a cure letter via email or mail. They can sign an affidavit to correct the issue, and the ballot will be counted. The BOE conducts pre-canvassing (scanning ballots) twice a week before Election Day, but results are not released until Election Day.
• Polling Place Operations: The BOE ensures bipartisan inspection teams, but shortages may occur due to last-minute cancellations. Voters who are marked as inactive can still vote using an affidavit ballot; such ballots are processed and reactivate the voter. Voters are reminded that New York State does not require voter ID at the polls, though some may be asked for ID if their registration form lacked required information. Voters should not leave a polling place without voting; if issues arise, they should call the BOE immediately (main number: 914-995-5700; commissioner direct lines: 914-995-5706 and 914-995-5704).
• Election Security & Misinformation: Both commissioners emphasized that the Westchester County BOE and New York State BOE are the official sources for election information. Voters should call the BOE to verify any claims. Pre-filled mail ballot applications sent by third-party nonprofits are not official; voters can discard them or complete them fully. The BOE works with law enforcement to address electioneering, harassment, or intimidation. For issues outside the 100-foot electioneering boundary, they coordinate with local or county police. The New York Attorney General's election protection hotline is 866-390-2992.
• Concerns about USPS & Drop Boxes: Legislators and constituents expressed anxiety about USPS delays and reliability. Commissioners acknowledged issues (e.g., business reply mail held up at Fishery Avenue Post Office) but noted that USPS is beyond their control. They recommended using priority mail for tracking, or using drop-off at early voting sites or the BOE. They expressed reluctance to establish additional drop boxes at municipal buildings due to security and partisan concerns, but indicated they could explore the idea for future elections.
• League of Women Voters Presentation: Kathy Meany (President, Northwest Westchester League) and other members described their nonpartisan voter education and election protection efforts. They have registered voters at the county jail (20 inmates registered in one session), are focusing on youth engagement (texting 18–22-year-olds), and are part of a statewide election protection coalition. They asked how they can best support the BOE during early voting and on Election Day. Legislators thanked them and asked them to continue distributing accurate information and to assist with voter education and ballot collection, particularly for seniors and those afraid of ICE presence at polls.
• ICE & Intimidation Concerns: Legislators from districts with mixed-status households (e.g., Port Chester, Ossining) raised fears that federal agents near polling sites might deter voters. Commissioners and the League advised using early voting or mail ballots to avoid polling places, and to call the AG's hotline or 911 if intimidation occurs. The League acknowledged the concern and noted they are receiving training on how to respond without confrontation.

Key Outcomes

• No formal resolutions or votes were taken on election-related matters.
• The meeting provided a forum for information exchange and coordination between the Board of Legislators, BOE commissioners, and the League of Women Voters.
• The BOE committed to sharing electronic copies of all handouts (flyers, voter information) with legislators for distribution to constituents.
• The BOE encourages voters to check their registration status now, vote early or by mail, and contact the BOE with any questions.
• The meeting adjourned at 12:40 PM after a voice vote on the motion to adjourn (all present voted in favor).