On Tuesday, May 21, F-M voters will cast their ballots for the 2024-25 school district budget, weigh in on a school bus proposition, fill three seats on the board of education plus a student serving on the board of education in an ex-officio capacity, and decide on library propositions for both the Fayetteville Free Library and the Manlius Library. This year, district residents will also vote on a proposed capital project, which focuses on fixing leaky roofs across school buildings and updating safety and security at all school buildings.
Qualified voters may apply for an absentee ballot or a military ballot. New this year, qualified voters are also allowed to vote early.
Voters may apply for an absentee ballot if they are a patient in the hospital or unable to appear personally at the polling place due to illness; required by duties, studies, occupation or business to be outside of the county on the vote date (a brief description of such duties, studies, occupation or business that requires such absence would need to be provided on the ballot application); on vacation outside of the county; detained in jail awaiting grand jury action; confined in prison after conviction of an offense other than a felony; detained in jail awaiting trial, and accompanying a spouse, parent or child outside of the county on the vote date. Absentee ballots are not automatically mailed to all registered voters.
Early ballot voting is available due to the new Early Mail Voter Act, effective Jan. 1, 2024. Early voting is possible without any reasons needed for voting early. Similar to absentee ballot voting, you must fill out an application to vote early. There are separate applications for early voting or absentee ballot voting, but the application process and deadlines are the same for both.
Individuals serving in the military on the day of the vote, or who have been discharged within 30 days of the vote are also eligible to receive a ballot upon receipt of a military ballot application. A military voter’s spouse, parent, child or dependent who is accompanying the military voter is also eligible for a military ballot application.
All ballot applications are available online and at the F-M District Office: 8199 E. Seneca Turnpike, Manlius. Residents can also contact District Clerk Sarah Gridley at sgridley@fmschools.org or by phone 315-692-1200 to request a ballot application.
Applications must be received at the F-M District Office by 4 p.m., May 14 if the ballot is to be mailed, or 4 p.m., on May 20 if you plan to pick up your ballot. The completed ballot must be received by 5 p.m. on May 21, 2024.
Individuals are eligible to vote if they are a U.S citizen, at least 18 years old and a resident of the school district for at least 30 days prior to the vote.