Summary
Federal & state elections on the ballot: US Senator, 26 US House members, Governor, and State Senate and Assembly members
Ballot measures: New York Environment and Climate Change Projects Bond Measure
The New York State Board of Elections oversees all New York elections.
About
Contact
Email: State Board of Elections
Locations
State Board of Elections
40 NORTH PEARL STREET, SUITE 5
ALBANY, NY 12207-2729
Phone: (518) 474-6220
Web
State Board of Elections, Ballot measures
Registering to Vote
General Information
Who can register
To register in New York you must:
- be a citizen of the United States
- be a resident of New York and the county, city, or village for at least 30 days before Election Day
- be 18 years old by December 31 of the year you register (You must be 18 years old by the date of the general, primary, or other election in which you want to vote)
- not be in prison or on parole for a felony conviction (unless parolee pardoned or restored rights of citizenship)
- not currently be judged incompetent by a court
- not claim the right to vote elsewhere
How to register
- Use our Register to Vote form below to fill out the National Voter Registration Form.
- Sign and date your form. This is very important!
- Mail or hand-deliver your completed form to the address we provide.
- Make sure you register before the voter registration deadline.
Election Day registration
N/A
Voting Rights restoration
If you have been convicted of a felony and have questions about whether you can register to vote, visit Restore Your Vote to determine your eligibility.
Registration Status (form)
New Registration (form)
Voting
General Information
Voting as a Student
Learn more from Campus Vote Project about voting for students.
Overseas and Military Voting
You are a Military or Overseas voter if you are in uniformed services, living overseas OR a spouse or dependent of a uniformed services voter. To get registered and vote, you can utilize Overseas Vote Foundation.
If you have additional questions about elections and voting overseas you can use our state specific elections official directory or contact the Overseas Vote Foundation.
Voting with Disabilities
Most polling places are now accessible to the handicapped. If yours is not, you may ask to have your records transferred to a nearby accessible polling place where the ballot will be the same as in your election district. You may also vote by absentee ballot. If you have a long-term or permanent illness or disability, you can apply for a permanent absentee ballot and you will automatically receive one before each primary and general election. For additional information, please visit your state’s Board of Election.
For more information, you can utilize the American Association of People With Disabilities (AAPD) resource.
Early Voting
Beginning Fall 2019 – NY will have early voting available! Early voting begins 10 days before the election and continues through two days before the election (not voting the day before Election Day). Each county has multiple voting sites available. Each voting site has different hours, so check www.nyearlyvoting.org to determine the best voting site for you.
For more information on your specific counties early voting rules, please visit the LWVNY early voting website!
Vote by Mail (Absentee)
Absentee ballot rules
You may vote by absentee ballot in New York if you expect to be:
- Absent from your county or, if a resident of New York City, absent from New York City, on Election Day
- Unable to appear at the polls due to illness or physical disability or because you are the primary care giver of one or more individuals who are ill or physically disabled
- A resident or patient of a Veterans Health Administration Hospital
- Detained in jail awaiting Grand Jury action or confined in prison after conviction for an offense other than a felony.
How to get Absentee ballot
- Use our Absentee Ballot form below to prepare your application.
- Sign and date the form. This is very important!
- Return your completed application to your Local Election Office as soon as possible. We’ll provide the mailing address for you.
- All Local Election Offices will accept mailed or hand-delivered forms. If it’s close to the deadline, call and see if your Local Election Office will let you fax or email the application.
- Make sure your application is received by the deadline. Your application must actually arrive by this time — simply being postmarked by the deadline is insufficient.
- Please contact your Local Election Office if you have any further questions about the exact process.
What to do next
- Once you receive the ballot, carefully read and follow the instructions.
- Sign and date where indicated.
- Mail your voted ballot back to the address indicated on the return envelope.
- Your voted ballot must arrive by the deadline or it will not be counted.
Absentee ballot application deadline
- In Person: 1 day before Election Day
- By Mail: 7 days before Election Day.
Absentee ballot submission deadline
Postmarked 1 day before Election Day and received 7 days after Election Day. Voted ballots can also be turned in by hand on election day.
Absentee Ballot (form)
Elections Alert (Form)
Pollling Information
Polling Place Locator
You can find your polling place by utilizing your state resource.
If you have further questions on your polling place location, please contact your local board of elections.
Polling Place Hours
Polling places will be open from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm.
Poll Worker Information
In order to be a poll worker in New York:
- You will be entitled to compensation
- You must be registered to vote in New York
- You must be at least 18 years of age
- Political affiliation required
- You must be a resident of the county or in New York city must be a resident of the city
- A training course and an exam must be completed
- Students 16 or 17 years old who are enrolled in high school may be appointed
- Translator positions also required
To sign up visit your state’s resource or contact your local board of elections.
State Board of Elections
Commissioners
- Peter S. Kosinski / Co-Chair
- Douglas A. Kellner / Co-Chair
- Andrew J. Spano / Commissioner
- Vacant / Commissioner
Executive Directors
- Todd D. Valentine / Co-Executive Director
- Robert A. Brehm / Co-Executive Director
Mission Statement
The State Board of Elections was established in the Executive Department June 1, 1974 as a bipartisan agency vested with the responsibility for administration and enforcement of all laws relating to elections in New York State. The Board is also responsible for regulating disclosure and limitations of a Fair Campaign Code intended to govern campaign practices. In conducting these wide-ranging responsibilities, the Board offers assistance to local election boards and investigates complaints of possible statutory violations. In addition to the regulatory and enforcement responsibilities the board is charged with the preservation of citizen confidence in the democratic process and enhancement in voter participation in elections. The State Board of Elections is also committed to providing accessible information to individuals with disabilities, including voters, members of the public, candidates, media and treasurers.
