Voting in New York

Are you ready to vote? Here's what you need to know:

Who can vote

• You must be a U.S. citizen to vote in national and state elections
• You must be at least 18 years old on or before Election Day
• You must be a New York resident for at least 30 days before the election
• You must be registered to vote by New York's registration deadline
• You must not be currently serving a felony conviction, unless your voting rights have been restored
• You must not be declared mentally incompetent by a court of law

If you are a college student, you can choose to vote either at your college address or your permanent home address, as long as you don't vote in both places.

If you are experiencing homelessness, you can register and vote, using a shelter, park, or street corner as your address.

If you are in the military, register to vote and request an absentee ballot and use a Federal Post Card Application.

How to register

• Online: If you have an identification card from the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles), you can register at elections.ny.gov/register-vote.
• In person: Visit your local Board of Elections office or any New York State Agency-Based voter registration center or DMV.
• By mail: Get a form at post offices, libraries, or request a New York State Voter Registration form by mail by entering your name directly into New York’s Voter Registration Form Request mailing list or call 1-800-FOR-VOTE (1-800-367-8683) hotline to request a voter application. Once the form is completed, you need to print the form and sign and date it. Then, mail the form to your county board of elections.

Important dates

• Register by: Saturday Oct 26, 2024 for the next general election on Tuesday November 5, 2024
• Request an early mail-in or absentee ballot by: Wednesday October 23, 2024
• Early voting: From Saturday Oct 26, 2024 to Sun Nov 3, 2024
• Absentee voting:
  • Drop off in-person on Election Day
  • Postmarked on or before Election Day and received by Tuesday Nov 12, 2024
• Election Day: Tuesday November 5, 2024

How to vote

1. In person on Election Day: Find your polling place: voterlookup.elections.ny.gov
2. Early voting in person: Early voting sites may be different from Election Day sites. When you check your polling place, your early voting site will be listed along with your Election Day site.
3. Mail-in early or absentee ballot: Request an early mail or absentee ballot by Wednesday October 23, 2024 and make sure it receives a postmark no later than Tuesday November 5th, 2024. It must be received by the County Board of Elections no later than Tuesday November 12th.

Make a voting plan ahead of time. New York doesn't have same-day registration, so if you are planning to vote in person on Election Day or in-person early voting, you must register to vote by Saturday Oct 26, 2024 at the latest. If you are planning to vote by mail-in early voting or absentee ballot, you must request an early mail or absentee ballot by Wednesday, October 23, 2024.

Find what’s on your ballot

You have time to learn about candidates and issues. Check to see what’s on your ballot so you can make informed decisions. 

Remember:

• Ballots can change, so check close to election day
• It's okay to bring notes into the voting booth
• You don't have to vote on everything if you're not sure

What to know when voting in person in New York

1. Bring ID (just in case):
   • Most voters don't need ID, but it's good to have it
   • First-time voters might need to show ID
2. Know your rights:
   • You can vote if you're in line when polls close
   • You can ask for help if you need it
   • You can use any language you're comfortable with
   • You can bring notes or a sample ballot, but don't show these to others or leave them behind
3. What to expect:
   • Sign in at the check-in table
   • Get your ballot
   • Go to a private voting booth
   • Mark your choices
   • Put your ballot in the scanner
4. If there's a problem: 
   • Ask for help from a poll worker
   • You can use a provisional ballot if there's confusion about your registration
5. No campaigning allowed:
   • Don't wear clothing or buttons supporting candidates at the polling place
   • This is rarely an issue but New York has these restrictions so that voters can think about their choices without pressure
6. Accessibility:
   • All voting sites should be accessible. This includes: ramps and elevators for people with mobility impairments, ballot marking devices for voters with visual or physical impairments, Sign language interpreters or real-time captioning for deaf voters, large print or Braille materials for visually impaired voters, and ballot instructions and assistance in multiple languages
   • Learn more about what it means for a polling place or vote center to be accessible to people with disabilities.
   • If you need help, you can bring someone or ask a poll worker

Need Help?

The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) Election Protection Hotline can help answer your voting questions. Contact their Election Hotline at (866) 390-2992.

You can also read more common questions.

Remember, your vote matters! Make your voice heard.