Below are a few questions answered about voting in the General Election.

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How can I register to vote?

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The New York state Board of Elections requires that all those who register to vote be:

– A U.S. citizen

– 18 years old by Dec. 31 of the year in which you file a registration form and 18 years old by the date of the general, primary or other election in which you want to vote

– A resident of New York state, and a resident of the county, town or village in which you wish to cast your vote at least 30 days prior to the election

– Not in prison for a felony conviction

– Not be adjudged mentally incompetent by a court

– Not claim the right to vote elsewhere

If you meet these criteria, there are a number of ways that you can register to vote, including:

– Online through the state Board of Elections’ Online Voter Registration Portal at www.elections.ny.gov/onlinevoterreg.html.

– In person at a county board of elections office. If you live in Essex County, that office is located at 7551 Court St. in Elizabethtown. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If you live in Franklin County, the office is located at 355 West Main St., Suite 161 in Malone. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

– In person or online through the Department of Motor Vehicles.

– By calling 1-800-FOR-VOTE to request a voter application.

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Is there a deadline to register?

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To vote in the Nov. 5 election, voter registration applications must be received no later than Saturday, Oct. 26.

Notices of change of address from registered voters received at least 10 days before a special, primary or general election by a county board of elections must be processed and entered in the records in time for that election.

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How does absentee voting work?

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The New York state Board of Elections has five qualifications for voters seeking an absentee ballot:

1. Absent from the county on Election Day

2. Unable to appear at the polls due to temporary or permanent illness or disability

3. Unable to appear because you are the primary care giver of one or more individuals who are ill or physically disabled

4. A resident or patient of a Veterans Health Administration Hospital

5. In jail or prison for any reason other than a felony conviction — This includes anyone who is awaiting grand jury action, awaiting trial, or serving a sentence for a misdemeanor.

Applications requesting to receive an absentee ballot by mail must be received by the board of elections in your county no later than 10 days before the election. For absentee ballots to be received in-person, applications must be received by your board no later than the day before the election.

You may return the ballot in any of the following ways for the November General Election:

– Put it in the mail ensuring it receives a postmark no later than Nov. 5. Must be received by the county board of elections no later than Nov. 12.

– Bringing it to your county board of elections Office no later than Nov. 5 by 9 p.m.

– Bringing it to an early voting poll site in your county between Oct. 26 and Nov. 3.

– Bringing it to a poll site in your county on Nov. 5 by 9 p.m.

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When and where can I vote early?

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In Essex County, early voting will take place at the Lake Placid Beach House at 31 Parkside Dr. in Lake Placid and at the Essex County Public Safety Building at 702 Stowersville Road in Lewis from Oct. 26 to Nov. 3. Voting will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 26, 27, 29 and 31, as well as on Nov. 1, 2 and 3. Voting will be open from noon to 8 p.m. on Oct. 28 and 30.

In Franklin County, early voting will take place at the Courthouse Kitchen Conference Room at 355 West Main St. in Malone from Oct. 26 to Nov. 3. Voting will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 26, 27, 28 and 30 as well as on Nov. 1, 2, and 3. Voting will be open from noon to 8 p.m. on Oct. 29 and 31.

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Where can I vote on Election Day?

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Not sure where your polling place is? Two quick ways to find out: Visit voterlookup.elections.ny.gov or call the county Board of Elections office.

Polls will be open on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

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How much paid time off to vote are employees entitled to?

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The New York state Election Law provides for up to two hours of paid time off to enable an employee time to vote when added to their voting time outside their working hours. While two hours is the maximum paid time off allowed under the law, the amount of paid time off required for an employee to vote must be determined on a case-by-case basis as waiting times at polling places, traffic conditions, and other factors may vary wildly.