Garrison, New York Public Records

Registration must be completed at least 25 days before an election, as the state does not offer same-day registration. Acceptable identification includes a driver's license number, the last four digits of a Social Security number, or a signed affidavit if neither is available. Since 2020, automatic voter registration has been available through DMV transactions. As an unincorporated hamlet within the Town of Philipstown, Garrison has no separate municipal elections. Instead, residents vote in Town of Philipstown elections for Town Supervisor, four Town Board seats, Town Justice, and Highway Superintendent. These town elections occur in odd-numbered years on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November (2025, 2027, and so on). Local voters also participate in Putnam County elections for County Executive, County Legislature representatives, Sheriff, District Attorney, County Clerk, and County Coroner. Residents can locate their assigned polling place using the New York State Board of Elections poll site locator at findmypollsite.vote.nyc or by contacting the county Board of Elections. Sample ballots and polling location information are mailed to registered voters ahead of each election. Under New York Election Law, certain election records are publicly accessible, including voter registration statistics (though individual registration details are restricted), campaign finance disclosure reports filed with the State Board of Elections (accessible at publicreporting.elections.ny.gov), candidate petition filings and designations, and official results by election district. The county Board of Elections posts unofficial results on election night and certified results after canvassing, typically within two weeks. The November 2024 presidential election saw approximately 58% voter turnout among Putnam County's 69,000 active registered voters. Politically, the county leans moderate to Republican, though individual districts and towns show variation. On November 3, 2026, voters in the area will decide several important races. While New York's gubernatorial election isn't scheduled until 2030, the 2026 ballot will feature the U.S. Senate race for Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's seat, all 26 of New York's U.S. House seats including the 18th Congressional District covering Garrison, State Senate District 40 and State Assembly District 95 representing the community, Putnam County offices including County Legislature seats and potentially County Clerk and other positions depending on term schedules, and the Town of Philipstown Supervisor and Town Board seats. Residents should check the county Board of Elections website beginning in summer 2026 for candidate filings, sample ballots, and voter guide materials. New York allows absentee voting for voters who will be absent from the county on election day, those with illness or physical disability, primary caregivers, and residents of hospitals or nursing homes. Absentee ballot applications are available online at absenteeballot.elections.ny.gov or through the Putnam County Board of Elections. Applications must be received ten days before the election if submitted by mail, or the day before if applied for in person. The state does not have no-excuse universal mail-in voting; voters must meet one of the statutory justifications unless voting during the early voting period. Since 2019, New York has offered early voting for nine days including two weekends before Election Day at designated sites in Putnam County, with locations announced before each election.