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School Ballot Deadline Extended to June 16

Sun, 06/07/2020 - 17:24
Small-scale graduation ceremonies will be allowed in New York State under a new executive order from the governor.

Update, June 8, 12 p.m.: On Monday, local school officials confirmed that ballot drop-off boxes would be removed at 5 p.m. on Tuesday this week. Ballots can only be mailed after that point, and school districts will begin counting them after 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16.

"This is an ever-changing world," said Richard Burns, the East Hampton School District superintendent, who disagreed with the extension because it puts voters "at the mercy of the post office."

"That's significant. This is really causing a problem, in a way," he said. "We’re just doing the best we can with the governor’s executive orders."

Original, June 7, 5:25 p.m.: Amid widespread worries over absentee ballots making their way in time to school districts for budget votes and board elections this year, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Sunday signed an executive order extending the deadline for districts to receive them by mail from June 9 to June 16.

"The Covid-19 pandemic has changed our world, and while we are making great progress and the numbers keep going down, no New Yorker should have to choose between their health and their right to vote," Governor Cuomo said.

Those who were planning to hand-deliver their ballots must still do so by 5 p.m. on Tuesdsay. It was not clear on Sunday when districts would begin to count ballots. 

The news followed an announcement that in-person high school graduations of up to 150 people would be allowed outdoors starting June 26, "subject to any outbreaks or significant changes in the metrics." The governor also made a decision several days ago that schools could offer certain special education services over the summer in-person as well.

On Saturday, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone had said he reached out to Governor Cuomo to lobby in favor of in-person graduation ceremonies. "I believe that we can do this safely, and therefore, we should do this because this is truly one of life’s special moments for students and parents," he said in a statement.

In Suffolk, during the 24-hour period ending June 5, hospitalizations continued to decline. There was a decrease of 21 patients being treated in hospitals, down to 179. Eight people died, bringing the total fatality number to 1,931.

Also Sunday, Governor Cuomo extended the official criteria for eligibility for a Covid-19 test to include not just those who are symptomatic or who have exposed a confirmed case, but also now to anyone who has been to a large, public protest in recent days. "Act responsibly," he said. "Get a test."


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