Absentee Ballot FAQs

Common Absentee Ballot Voting Questions Answered

Am I a qualified voter?

If you are a U.S. citizen, 18 years old and have been a resident of the district for 30 days or more prior to June 9, you are a qualified voter in the school budget vote and board election.

I got my absentee ballot. Now what?

Once you receive your ballot, carefully read and follow the directions. Sign and date the envelope where indicated. If your envelope is unsigned, your vote can not be counted.

I made a mistake. Can I get a new ballot?

If you tear, deface or wrongly mark your ballot, contact the district clerk at (315) 692-1200 immediately for instructions on how to obtain a new ballot.

When should I send my ballot back to the school district?

Fill out and return your ballot as soon as possible after you receive it. Ballots may be returned by mail by using the enclosed prepaid return envelope, or dropped off at the F-M District Office, 8199 E. Seneca Turnpike, Manlius, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Why do I have to sign my name on the envelope?

Just as voters are asked to sign a register when they vote in person, voters using absentee ballots are asked to provide a signature. This signature constitutes an affidavit — you are attesting to your identity as a voter who is qualified to cast a ballot in this election. This information is recorded on the district’s voter rolls — a list of names of all the people who cast ballots.

Is my vote still confidential?

Yes. While your name will be registered on the district’s voter rolls, your ballot will be separated from the envelope that bears your name, return address, or other personally identifiable information before the envelope holding your ballot is opened.

Is the process open to the public?

The annual school budget vote is an official public meeting of the district, and as such, it is open to the public.

How can my vote be confidential if the count is open to the public?

Since ballots are separated from personally identifiable information before they are counted, the public counting process is anonymous. No one viewing the counting of ballots will be able to match a voter’s personally identifiable information with their specific ballot.

When will the results of the budget vote and board election become available to the public?

The results will be available as soon as all ballots have been accounted for.

Whom do I contact if I have any additional questions?

Please contact District Clerk Sarah Gridley at (315) 692-1200.