Voting Toolkit

Participating in elections is one of the most direct ways to shape the future of your community, state, and country. Whether you are casting your ballot for the first time or are a seasoned voter, navigating election rules, deadlines, and voting methods can feel complex. This comprehensive guide is designed to make voting simple, accessible, and straightforward. Below, you will find step-by-step guidance on how to confirm your eligibility, register to vote, select the voting method that best fits your schedule, including Early Mail, Absentee, and In-Person options, and properly submit your ballot.

To check your current status, look up your local polling site, or access official state tools, explore the resources available directly on the

New York State Board of Elections Website or use the NYS Voter Lookup Portal.

Step One

A promotional graphic featuring bold text reading "YOUR VOTE IS YOUR VOICE" in white and red block lettering on a dark, textured slate-like background. Along the left side, several red, white, and blue election buttons are clustered, including one that reads "I VOTED".

Check your Qualifications & Status

Before registering, verify your status using the online portal. To be eligible to register in New York State, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Citizenship: Be a United States citizen.

  • Age: Be at least 18 years old by Election Day (you may pre-register at 16 or 17).

  • Residency: Be a resident of New York State and your county, city, or village for at least 30 days prior to the election.

  • Criminal Record: Not currently be serving a prison sentence for a felony conviction (individuals who have completed their sentence or are on parole/probation are eligible).

  • Legal Competency: Not be declared mentally incompetent by a court order.

  • Voting Rights: Not claim the right to vote in another state or jurisdiction.

Step Two

A graphic showing the word "VOTE" in large, three-dimensional capital letters set against a clean white background. The left letters ("V" and "O") feature a blue field with white stars, while the right letters ("T" and "E") feature red and white horizontal stripes, mimicking the U.S. flag design. The letters sit on a reflective white surface.

Fill Out The Application

Registering online is recommended to expedite processing and reduce paper backlogs.

Online: Submit your application through the state voter registration portal using a NY.Gov account. Existing users can update details such as address, name, or party enrollment.
Paper Application: Download a PDF in English, Spanish, Bengali, Chinese, Korean, Malayalam, Tagalog, or Urdu. Paper forms can be filled out electronically or printed and completed by hand.
By Mail Request: Request a form sent to your home address by submitting a request online or calling 1-800-FOR-VOTE (1-800-367-8683).

In-Person Agencies: Register in person at the DMV or through participating state agency locations, including:

  • Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

  • Office for People with Developmental Disabilities

  • Office of Mental Health

  • Office for the Aging

  • ACCES-VR

  • NYS Office of Addiction Services and Support centers

Step Three

A close-up photograph featuring a collection of round, patriotic campaign pins in red, white, and blue. Each button prominently reads "VOTE" in bold block lettering, decorated with white stars along the top or bottom edges.

Send In The Form

The preferred method for sending in a voter registration form is to mail it to one’s county Board of Elections. A full list of New York’s county Board of Elections can be found in a searchable format here.

If filling out the form in-person at any of the above sites, they can also file the necessary paperwork if need be.

Early and Absentee Voting in New York State

What is Early Voting?

In one of the biggest differences between the two options, early voting is available to all registered voters in New York State. Everybody applying for early voting must do so themselves through one of the following options:

Applications sent online or by mail must be received by the BOE no less than ten days before the election. For the general election, this deadline is October 24. In-person applications must be received by the BOE no later than the day before the election (November 2).

Early mail ballot materials are sent out beginning 46 days before federal, state, county, city or town elections in which you are eligible to vote. If you applied after this date, your ballot will be sent immediately after your completed and signed application is received and processed by your local board of elections.

Important Note: While there is a separate form for early voting vs. absentee voting, early voting is meant to operate just like voting on Election Day. The voter registration search website can be used to find early voting locations (or single location for NYC residents) that people can vote at from October 24 to November 1. The option for applying for a form is still available.

What is Absentee Voting?

Absentee voting operates much the same way as early voting. However, while anyone can apply for early voting, absentee voting is only available under the following conditions.

  • You will be absent from your home county (or NYC if anywhere in the five boroughs) on Election Day
  • You are unable to go to the polls due to a permanent or temporary disability
  • You are the primary care giver of one or more individuals who are ill or physically disabled, and your duties keep you from going to the polls
  • You are a resident or patient of a Veterans Health Administration Hospital
  • You are in jail or prison for any reason other than a felony conviction. This includes anyone who is awaiting grand jury action, awaiting trial, or serving a sentence for a misdemeanor

One important distinction with absentee voting is that those with a permanent illness or physical disability only need to apply for it once. By indicating that the application is due to permanent illness or physical disability, you will automatically receive absentee ballots until your voter registration is cancelled. You can also designate someone to pick up and deliver your ballot.

The form to apply for absentee voting can be found online here. The form can be found in different languages below.

All of the above options for applying for an early mail ballot are available for absentee ballots as well. In addition, all mentioned deadlines are equally applicable to absentee voting.

Completing an Early or Absentee Ballot

The following is a step-by-step guide for completing an early voting or absentee ballot.

  1. Mark the ballot according to your choices for each office following the instructions on the ballot.
  2. Fold and place the completed ballot in the Security Envelope.
  3. Sign and date the outside of the Security Envelope.
  4. Seal the Security Envelope.
  5. Place the Security Envelope in the Return Envelope. (This envelope will have the return address of your county Board of Elections on the outside, a logo that reads, “Official Election Mail”, and all required postage.)
  6. Seal the Return Envelope.

You may return the primary ballot in any of the following ways:

  • Put it in the mail ensuring it receives a postmark no later than November 3rd. This must be received by the County Board of Elections no later than November 10th.
  • Bring it to your County Board of Elections Office no later than November 3rd by 9pm.
  • Bring it to an early voting poll site in your county between October 24th and November 1st.
  • Bring it to a poll site in your county on November 3rd by 9pm.

Voters can track their early mail or absentee ballot via the Board of Elections’ Poll Site Search, Voter Registration, and Mail Ballot Tracker available at https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov/

It is recommended that those mailing in a ballot allow enough time for it to be returned to the BOE, which is generally seven days. Keep aware of the posted collection times at your local post office, as ballots submitted after the last posted collection time will not be posted until the next business day.

Accessible Ballot Application

Anyone who has a print disability can request a ballot with accessible features through the following link. This form is also available in PDF format in English, Spanish, Bengali, Chinese, Korean, Malayalam, Tagalog, and Urdu.

Voters using the accessible ballot system in need of printing services can access such services at certain public printing resources, including but not limited to, libraries, print stores, shipping stores, and office supply stores. Voters should contact their local printing resources for details on the printing services offered.

In-person voting using an accessible Ballot Marking Device (“BMD”) during early voting or on Election Day is still available to voters with a disability who do not want to vote using the accessible ballot system.