Nick Reisman is reporting for State of Politics voters in New York now have additional time to change their party registration, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Sun., Feb. 14. Cuomo signed an executive order extending the deadline to Tues., Feb. 16. The move is meant to create a uniform statewide policy after the party registration deadline fell on a Sunday this year. The adjustment will give local elections officials more time to process party registration changes and because many of those local boards of election are short on staff due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "The right to vote is one of the sacred pillars of our democracy, and as we continue to fight the war on COVID, we can't put democracy on hold," Cuomo said. "Today, we are extending the period for voters to change their party enrollment...to help break down more barriers to the ballot box and help ensure everyone has a chance to exercise this fundamental right." The change is effective immediately. Locally, the Columbia County Board of Elections ask that voters "attempt to do election-related business by phone, mail, or email." The board can be reached by phone at (518) 828-3115 or via email at elections [at] columbiacountyny [dot] com. The Greene County Board of Elections can be reached at (518) 719-3550 or via email at elections [at] discovergreene [dot] com.