MAYVILLE — With Election Day coming soon, the Chautauqua County Health Department advises residents to consider having a back-up voting plan in case they are placed in isolation or quarantine due to COVID-19.

Individuals issued quarantine or isolation orders by the local health department will not be allowed to leave their place of isolation to cast a ballot at the polls, so making a back-up plan can help residents minimize any complications in the exercise of their fundamental right to vote.

According to the Chautauqua County Board of Elections, an absentee ballot may be requested by phone, fax, email, or USPS on or before Tuesday. To request a ballot, call 753-4580 or visit www.votechautauqua.com.

After Oct. 27, a person can request an absentee ballot by filling out the absentee ballot application form found at www.votechautauqua.com and allowing an agent to bring it to the Board of Elections to process the ballot request and to return with a ballot. Such requests may be initiated right up to and including Election Day. The ballot itself must be postmarked no later than Election Day or delivered no later than 9 p.m. to any county poll site or the Board of Elections.

Additionally, residents may participate in early voting beginning Oct. 24 through Sunday, Nov. 1. Early voting is available at the Board of Elections Office in Mayville, the Chautauqua Mall in Lakewood, and at the Chautauqua County Fairgrounds 4-H building in Dunkirk. A schedule and further details are available at www.votechautauqua.com.

Individuals are placed under isolation orders when they test positive for COVID-19. Quarantine orders are issued to identified close contacts of persons who have tested positive for COVID-19 as well as to people who have traveled internationally or to restricted states. Isolation and quarantine orders prohibit community interaction in an effort to prevent disease spread.

With mass COVID-19 testing events scheduled for next week, the Chautauqua County Health Department expects to identify new cases of COVID-19 in the community. Those who test positive over the next week and their close contacts will not be allowed to leave isolation/quarantine to get to the polls. Act now to make sure you’re ready to cast a ballot by Nov. 3.

For more information, call the Chautauqua County Board of Elections at 753-4580 or visit www.votechautauqua.com.