The New York Presidential Primary is upon us. On Tuesday, Feb. 5, those registered in the Republican and Democratic parties will be able to choose their party's nominee. You can only vote in the primary for the party in which you are enrolled.

As this is the earliest New York has ever held a primary and it is not a regular election date, many may be out of town. If you will not be able to vote at your regular polling place on Feb. 5, you may also vote by absentee ballot.

An application for an absentee ballot application can be obtained online at www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/BOE/absentee.html. You can also obtain an application by calling the Board of Elections at 571-2411. Upon completion, applications must be delivered in person no later than the day before the election (Feb. 4). You may only request an absentee ballot if you are: unavoidably absent from your county on Election Day; unable to appear at the polls due to illness or disability; are a patient in a Veterans' Administration Hospital; detained in jail awaiting Grand Jury action; or confined in prison after conviction for an offense other than a felony.

I hope this information will make it easier for you to vote on Feb. 5 if you cannot make it to the polls in person. If you have any questions about any matter, please feel free to call my office at 739-1700 or e-mail me at hannon@senate.state.ny.us.

Kemp Hannon