Thank you to all the GCSD community members who attended our capital project information sessions on Wednesday, Oct. 3 at the Guilderland Public Library.
Polls will be open on Tuesday, Oct. 16 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at all elementary schools for district residents to cast their ballot on a $42.7 million capital improvement project.
We wanted to take this opportunity to address a frequently asked question: Why isn’t the vote being held on the same day as the general election, November 6?
This is an option the district explored in February 2018, when the district was in the beginning stages of project planning. According to the Albany County Board of Elections, they cannot hold simultaneous elections on Election Day because it could “create confusion and interfere with operations, while presenting logistical and legal challenges.”
We encourage our community to weigh in on the proposed capital improvement project which will include funds to enhance the safety and security of our buildings, make our learning spaces more healthy and comfortable, and to support technology and program upgrades to enhance educational opportunities for students.
To vote, you must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, and a resident of the district for at least 30 days prior to the vote. You must vote at the elementary school in your attendance zone and voter registration is required. (If you are currently registered to vote in county elections, you are also registered to vote in district elections.) If you are not registered, you may do so at any of the district elementary schools on Oct. 4, 9, 10 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. or at the district office (8 School Road, Guilderland Center) on the aforementioned mentioned days from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You may also register with the Albany County Board of Elections during their normal business hours.
For more information on the proposed Capital Construction Project, please visit: https://www.guilderlandschools.org/capital-construction-project/
Absentee ballots
Unable to make it to the polls on Oct. 16? Absentee ballots will be issued, upon request, to residents of the school district who will be out of town or unable to vote in person due to illness or disability. Contact the district clerk at (518) 456-6200, ext. 3125, to request an absentee ballot application. Completed absentee ballot applications must be received by the district clerk at least seven days before the vote (Oct. 9, 2018) if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter. If the ballot is to be given personally to the district clerk, then the application must be received by the day before the vote (Oct. 15, 2018). All completed absentee ballots must be delivered to the District Office by 5 p.m. on Oct. 16, 2018.