DemocracyNYC

How do I vote?

All New Yorkers have three ways to vote in the November General Elections. Choose the best option to make your voice heard during the pandemic.

1. Early Voting: Vote in-person. Your Early Voting site may be different from your Election Day poll site, so make sure to check before you go at NYC Votes. Early Voting begins on Saturday, October 28th, and ends on Sunday, November 5th.
2. Vote by Mail: All registered voters also have the option to vote by mail by requesting an absentee ballot. You can mark the reason as "Temporary illness or disability," which includes the risk of contracting the coronavirus. When you receive your ballot, make sure to sign and date the back of your absentee ballot envelope. Track your absentee ballot. The deadline to request an absentee ballot online is Monday, October 23rd, and to request one in person is November 6th. The deadline to postmark your absentee ballot is Tuesday, November 7th.
3. Election Day: As always, all registered voters can vote in-person on Election Day. We anticipate high turnout this year so that lines may be long at some poll sites. If you're worried about crowds, consider voting early. Find your Election Day poll site. Primary Election Day is on Tuesday, November 7th. Polls are open from 6am-9pm.

What's on the ballot?

Learn about the candidates on your ballot by visiting voter guides published at NYC Votes and whosontheballot.org.

What is early voting?

Early voting is just like voting in-person on Election Day, just with more flexibility and shorter lines. Find your Early Voting poll site at NYC Votes or by calling 866-Vote-NYC.

Early Voting begins on Saturday, October 28th, and ends on Sunday, November 5th.

Do I have to vote in person?

No. If you do not want to vote in person you can submit an application for an absentee ballot. New Yorkers can apply for absentee ballots for a number of reasons, such as if they are going to be out of their County on Election Day.

When and how can I apply for an absentee ballot?

You can apply for your absentee ballot right now by visiting nycabsentee.com.

The request form is also available as a PDF which can be printed and mailed back to the local County Board of Elections. The form, online and in paper, is available in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Bengali.

The Board of Elections says it will start mailing absentee ballots in late September. Track the status of your absentee ballot.

How do I request an accessible absentee ballot?

If you are visually impaired or have a disability that requires you to use an accessible version of the absentee ballot that can be read by a screen reader, you can visit nycabsentee.com. Click on the "Accessible Ballot Application" button.

To request an accessible ballot, you may also send the application form to the Board of Elections via:

• Email: AccessibleBallot@boe.nyc
• Call: 866-868-3692
• Mail your local Board of Elections office
• Fax: 212-487-5349
• In person: Visit your local New York City Board of Elections office.

Track the status of your absentee ballot

When will absentee ballots be mailed?

The Board of Elections will mail ballots to voters who request them on a rolling basis. Track your absentee ballot.

Do I have to mail my absentee ballot, or can I drop it off somewhere?

If you would rather not put your absentee ballot in the mail, you have three options for dropping off your absentee ballot. Just look for the "Absentee Ballot" drop boxes:

• At any Early Voting poll site
• At any Election Day poll site
• At any NYC Board of Elections office through Election Day.

How can I check on the status of my mailed-in absentee ballot?

Track your mailed-in absentee ballot request. Once you have submitted your request for an absentee ballot, you can use the site to confirm whether the Board of Elections has:

1. received your absentee ballot request
2. mailed your absentee ballot to you
3. accepted your completed absentee ballot, or if you need to fix it

How do I cast an absentee paper ballot?

You will receive a ballot, a smaller security envelope, and a larger return envelope.

• Mark the ballot with your choices for each office following the instructions.
• Once you have completed marking your ballot, fold it and place it in the security envelope. (This is the smaller envelope that has a place for your signature.)
• Sign and date the outside of the security envelope where indicated.
• Seal the security envelope.
• Place the security envelope in the return envelope (This is the larger envelope with a return address to your county Board of Elections and an "Official Election Mail" logo).
• Seal the return envelope.
• Place proper postage on the return envelope.

How do I cast an accessible absentee ballot?

• Once the accessible absentee ballot is emailed to you, download the ballot.
• Follow the instructions to mark the accessible absentee ballot, according to your choices for each office.
• After you have completed marking your ballot, print it out.
• Fold your printed accessible absentee ballot and place it in the security envelope. (This envelope will have a place for your signature.)
• Sign and date the outside of the security envelope. A signature anywhere on the back of the security envelope is acceptable for accessible ballots.
• Seal the security envelope.
• Place the security envelope in the return envelope. (This is the larger envelope with a return address to your county Board of Elections and an "Official Election Mail" logo).
• Seal the return envelope. For accessible ballots, the return envelope has prepaid postage.

Where and when can I vote on Election Day?

Find your Election Day polling place. Polling places open at 6:00am and close at 9:00pm If you live in New York City and want to see your ballot ahead of time, visit findmypollsite.vote.nyc.

Can I still vote in person if I requested an absentee ballot?

New York State voters are no longer permitted to cast a ballot on a voting machine if they have requested to vote by Absentee Ballot. Voters who have requested to vote by absentee ballot can still vote in-person using an affidavit ballot during early voting or election day.

Do I have to bring ID?

New York does not require voters to show identification when voting, except in one circumstance. If you are voting for the first time, and you did not register to vote in-person (i.e., you registered online or via mail), you may be asked to show ID the first time you vote only. You may use the following as ID: driver's license or other government-issued identification card, current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other government document that shows your name and address.

If I want to vote in person, but cannot use a pen to complete the paper ballot, or need other assistance, do I have any options?

Yes, you can bring someone to assist you with voting for any reason (including language access). You can also request assistance from the poll workers or you can use a Ballot Marking Device ("BMD") to help you mark your ballot at the poll site. However, anyone who assists you cannot be your employer nor your union representative.

What is a Ballot Marking Device?

A Ballot Marking Device, also known as a BMD, is a device that can assist you in marking your paper ballot and designed to provide privacy and accessibility to voters at their polling site.

Can I use a Ballot Marking Device?

Yes. All voters, including voters with disabilities, have the right to use a Ballot Marking Device to mark their ballot. The BMD is only used to mark the paper ballot; you need to scan the marked ballot in the counting device to cast your vote. Poll site workers can help voters use the BMDs.

When and how can I apply for an absentee ballot?

The deadline to request an absentee ballot online is Monday, June 12th, and to request one in person is Monday, June 26th.The deadline to postmark your absentee ballot is Tuesday, June 27th.

When is the deadline to mail in my absentee ballot?

The last day to postmark an absentee ballot is November 7th, and it must be received by the Board of Elections no later than July 4th.

What if I have more questions?

You want to make sure your vote is counted. If you have any questions or concerns about casting your ballot that aren't answered here, reach out to these organizations for help.

• New York City Board of Elections
  Phone: 866-VOTE-NYC
• New York State Board of Elections
• Common Cause Election Protection hotline: 866-OUR-VOTE
• League of Women Voters
• NYC Votes
• Disability Rights New York

Is it safe to vote in person?

If you can, take advantage of early voting to beat the crowds. NYS has also made absentee ballots available for anyone who prefers to vote from home. Choose whichever you are most comfortable with - the important thing is that you vote!

What steps can I take to stay safe while voting?

Practice healthy hand hygiene: Polling sites will provide hand sanitizer, and you can also bring your own. Use hand sanitizer before and after touching any shared surfaces and wash your hands with soap and water immediately after you get home. Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.

Stay home if you are sick: Voting is important, but it's more important that you get better before you leave your home and that you take actions to help prevent others from getting sick.

If you don't have an absentee ballot, contact your county's Board of Elections office for guidance about your voting options.

COVID-19 rates are high in my community. Is it safe to vote in person in my neighborhood?

• Polling centers will have safety precautions in place to ensure that voting is as safe as possible, no matter what the COVID rates are in your community.
• If you are at risk of severe COVID infection (elderly, immunocompromised, or pregnant), consider taking advantage of early voting in order to avoid any crowds on Election Day.
• If you are sick, stay home and follow the instructions above for requesting an absentee ballot by mail (until August 16th) or in person at your borough's Board of Elections office.