ROCHESTER, N.Y. — It’s the countdown until November’s general election. This year, all 435 House seats and 35 of the 100 Senate seats are up for grabs. There are also some key state-level races, including the governor’s race between incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman.
Early voting begins on Saturday, Oct. 24. News10NBC’s Kristi Blake is live with what to know about early voting, absentee voting, voting on Election Day, and the new Monroe County voting machines. Watch News10NBC TODAY now through 7 a.m. Livestream the show here.
News10NBC is your election headquarters. Here’s what to know about key races and important deadlines ahead of Election Day:
Thursday’s voter education event
An event on Thursday at the Edgerton R-Center aims to teach people about early voting and making a voting plan. It’s taking place in honor of National Voter Education Week, a nonpartisan movement to help people register to vote.
Throughout the week, Monroe County Board of Elections staff and volunteers have been at Rochester’s R-Centers to provide information on the democratic process, voter registration, polling site locations, reading a ballot, making an action plan to vote, and more. Here’s the schedule for the rest of the series.
- Thursday, Oct. 8, 4-6 p.m. – Edgerton R-Center, 41 Backus St.
- Topic: Make a plan to vote or vote early
- Friday, Oct. 9, 4-6 p.m. – Thomas P. Ryan R-Center, 271 Flint St., 530 Webster Ave.
- Topic: Share with your community
This year’s Congressional races
In the 25th Congressional District, which covers Monroe County and part of Ontario County, Virginia McIntyre is challenging incumbent Rep. Joe Morelle. Morelle, a Democrat, has served in Congress since 2018. He took the seat in a special election after the death of Rep. Louise Slaughter. McIntyre, a Republican, has served on the Monroe County Legislature since 2024.
In the 24th Congressional District, Alissa Ellman is challenging incumbent Rep. Claudia Tenney. The district includes 14 counties, including all of Wayne, Livingston, Yates, Seneca, Orleans, Wyoming, and Genesee counties, along with parts of Ontario and Steuben counties. Tenney, a Republican, has represented the 24th District since 2023 and represented the 22nd District before then. Democratic candidate Ellman is a combat veteran who said she became interested in running for Congress after being laid off from her role at the Department of Veterans Affairs under DOGE.
This year’s Governor’s race
Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat who has served as governor since 2021, is being challenged by Republican Bruce Blakeman, who has served as Nassau County Executive since 2021. Both candidates have been in the Rochester area several times recently. Blakeman visited Rochester to speak about his campaign promise of “cutting utility rates in half.” He also sat down with News10NBC’s Lynette Adams to talk about his campaign stances on Rochester in Focus.
Hochul visited Rochester to speak about the state’s utility rebate check program to counter energy costs. The state has started to mail checks for up to $200 to around 8.2 million households. News10NBC’s Jennifer Lewke also pressed the governor on the high ticket prices at the Buffalo Bills’ new stadium, which $600 million in state taxpayer money contributed to.
Key deadlines
- Saturday, Oct. 24 is the deadline to register to vote. You can register in person at your county’s board of elections office or at an approved voter registration event. You can also mail in your registration, as long as your board of elections receives your application no later than the deadline, or register online here.
- Saturday, Oct. 24 is also the last day for the board of elections to receive an absentee ballot request via mail or via online form. Nov. 2 is the last day to apply for an absentee ballot in person at your board of elections office.
- Early voting runs from Saturday, Oct. 24 through Sunday, Nov. 1. This allows you to cast your ballot early at approved locations in your county.
- Nov. 3 is General Election Day, with polls open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Unlike early voting, you must vote at your designated polling location. You can find your polling location and confirm that you’re registered here. Nov. 3 is also the deadline to postmark an absentee ballot or to deliver it in person at the board of elections. All postmarked ballots must be received no later than Nov. 10.
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