HOW TO VOTE IN NEW YORK STATE

October 2, 2020

ARE YOU REGISTERED TO VOTE?

You must register by Oct. 9, 2020, to be eligible to vote in the Nov. 3, 2020, General Election.

1. Are you registered? Check by visiting the state website at https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov/
If you are registered it will show you your information and a link to find your polling place.

2. If you are not registered, here are three ways to register. The deadline is OCTOBER 9.

Click here to download as a printable PDF

METHOD	HOW TO REGISTER	DEADLINE OCTOBER 9
IN PERSON	You can register in person at your county board of elections or at any New York State Agency-based voter registration center.	October 9, 2020 (Friday)
BY PHONE	Request a voter registration form to be sent to you by calling the state hotline at 1-800-FOR-VOTE. Once you get the form, make sure to send it in by Friday, Oct. 9	Applications must be postmarked no later than October 9, 2020
BY MAIL	(1) Enter your name directly into the state’s mailing list here https://www.elections.ny.gov/VoterRegSite/VoterRegistration OR Get the form online at https://www.elections.ny.gov/VotingRegister.html#VoteRegForm Scroll down to “New York State Voter Registration Form” (2) Once the form is completed, you must print the form and sign it. NO DIGITAL SIGNATURE ACCEPTED. (3) Mail the form to your county board of elections. Postmarked no later than Friday, Oct. 9	Applications must be postmarked no later than October 9, 2020

3. To make changes to your registration if you are already registered (such as an address change) or to cancel your registration, visit www.elections.ny.gov/VotingRegister.html#VoteRegForm

4. 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.

QUESTIONS:

NYS BOARD OF ELECTIONS
40 NORTH PEARL STREET, SUITE 5
ALBANY, NY 12207-2729
(518) 474-6220

OR CLICK TO CONTACT YOUR COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS

HOW TO CAST YOUR VOTE

This year, all registered voters can request an absentee ballot if they are concerned about COVID-19 and do not want to vote in person. Signed absentee ballots can be returned to drop boxes without a wait at over 300 locations statewide.

You can still vote in person if you request an absentee ballot (see below table)

METHOD	HOW TO VOTE	DEADLINE
In-person voting on Election Day	At your polling location. Click on your county to find your polling location https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov/	Election Day, November 3, 2020 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
In-person early voting	At your polling location. Find your polling location in your county here https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov/	October 24 to November 1, 2020
By absentee ballot	There are two steps: 1. Request an absentee ballot 2. Return the absentee ballot REQUEST THE BALLOT 1. Request it from NY State by visiting https://absenteeballot.elections.ny.gov/ OR Request it from your county board by phone, email or in person —————————————————- RETURN THE BALLOT Return the ballot in any of these ways: (a) Put it in the mail. Postmark no later than November 3. Remember to place a stamp! (b) Bring it to the County Board of Elections Office no later than Nov. 3 by 9pm. (c) Bring it to an early voting poll site between Oct. 24 and Nov. 1 (d) Bring it to a poll site on Nov. 3 by 9pm	October 27, 2020 to request ballot You must apply online, postmark, email or fax a completed application or letter request for the General Election Absentee ballot no later than October 27, 2020 ———————————————— See previous column for the deadlines

You Can Still Vote in Person if You Request an Absentee Ballot

Even if you return an absentee ballot, you may still vote in person. The Board of Elections is required to check the poll book before canvassing any absentee ballot. If the voter comes to the poll site to vote in person, the absentee ballot is set aside and not counted.

HOTLINE FOR VOTERS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS:

Attorney General’s election protection hotline: 800-771-7755 or email election.hotline@ag.ny.gov