Early voting for this year’s general election begins today. Early voting began in New York state last year. Here are answers to some common questions about how it works.

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Where and when?

In Essex County, voters can cast their ballots early at the county Public Safety Building in Lewis, at 702 Stowerville Road. In Franklin County, voters can cast their ballots at the county Board of Elections office in the county courthouse, 355 West Main St., Malone.

Both polling stations will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. today and Sunday, and the same hours next Saturday and Sunday. On weekdays, the hours vary; see below.

The early voting period continues through Sunday, Nov. 1. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.

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When are they counted?

Early votes are counted and processed when voters insert their ballots into the scanners, but the results aren’t printed until election night, according to the Essex County Board of Elections.

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If I change my mind, can I replace my vote on Nov. 3?

Early voters are not eligible to vote again on Election Day. However, someone who votes absentee ahead of time can vote in person on Election Day to replace the absentee ballot.

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How do they keep from counting multiple votes from the same person?

None of the absentee ballots received by the counties’ boards of election are opened until at least one week after the election. In that time period, the state Board of Elections scans poll books to identify who has cast a ballot in person and who has also submitted an absentee ballot. Then election workers void the absentee ballots of those who later voted in person, ensuring that each person only gets one vote.

If a person requests multiple absentee ballots and submits them, but doesn’t vote in person, only the ballot that’s postmarked last will be counted.

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EARLY VOTING HOURS

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Essex County

¯ Saturday, Oct. 24 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

¯ Sunday, Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

¯ Monday, Oct. 26 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

¯ Tuesday, Oct. 27 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

¯ Wednesday, Oct. 28 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

¯ Thursday, Oct. 29 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

¯ Friday, Oct. 30 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

¯ Saturday, Oct. 31 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

¯ Sunday, Nov. 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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Franklin County

¯ Saturday, Oct. 24 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

¯ Sunday, Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

¯ Monday, Oct. 26 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

¯ Tuesday, Oct. 27 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

¯ Wednesday, Oct. 28 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

¯ Thursday, Oct. 29 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

¯ Friday, Oct. 30 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

¯ Saturday, Oct. 31 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

¯ Sunday, Nov. 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.