The election is coming up on November 3 – it’s time to get ready to vote. Visit here to register to vote. If you’re not sure if you are registered, you can check your status here or by calling 866-VOTE-NYC (TTY-212-487-5496 for the hearing impaired).

Register early – September 22 is National Voter Registration Day!  On that day, all of our to-go locations will have voter registration forms and absentee ballot request forms available for you to pick up. Take some time to be sure you are registered. The deadline to register to vote is October 9. 

All New York voters can vote this fall by mail due to the risk of contracting coronavirus. Once you are registered, visit nycabsentee.com to request your ballot. If you want to vote in person, find your poll site by visiting here or by calling 866-VOTE-NYC. 

More information and print-at-home forms can be found here.

For more information about how to vote, visit NYC Votes. 

Text NYCVOTES to 917-979-6377 to receive text alerts about your elections or sign up here for email alerts.

Make sure to register so that your voice is heard this fall! 

FAQs About Voting

Where and when do I go to vote? 
Find your poll site location online at nyc.pollsitelocator.com or call 866-VOTE-NYC. Poll sites are open from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm on Election Day (Tuesday, November 3). You can also vote early starting October 24 through Sunday, November 1. The hours and locations for early voting may differ from your regular poll site. Remember to check before you go vote!

Do I need to show identfication to vote? 
You only need to show ID if you are voting for the first time and you did not supply a DMV or Social Security Number when you registered. Acceptable forms of ID include a government-issued photo ID, paycheck or utility bill.

Could my registration have expired? 
Your registration has no expiration date. Check your registration status online at voterlookup.elections.ny.gov (you will need to enter your county, name, date of birth, and zip code), or call 866-VOTE-NYC (TTY-212-487-5496 for the hearing impaired) for assistance.

What if I moved within New York City since the last time I voted? 
When you move, you should change your address with the NYC Board of Elections by submitting a new voter registration form. Fill in the box labeled “Voting information that has changed” by entering your new and old addresses, check the box for the party you wish to be enrolled in (do this even if you were enrolled in a party at your old address), and provide any other requested information. You may also update your information through the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles website. Your change of address must be received by the BOE by October 14, 2020. Call 866-VOTE-NYC to find out whether your change of address has been processed.

What if my name is not in the voter book? 
First, make sure you are signing in at the correct table for your assembly and election district. These district numbers are printed on the card the BOE sends to all registered voters before each election. A poll worker is available at each poll site to look up your name and address and determine which district you live in if you need assistance, or check the poll site locator at nyc.pollsitelocator.com. Once you confirm that you are signing in at the correct table, if you are not on the poll list, it may be because the BOE did not receive your registration form. If you believe that you are eligible, you can still vote. Ask a poll worker for an affidavit ballot, and follow the instructions.  

What if a poll watcher challenges my right to vote? 
If a poll watcher challenges your right to vote, you can ask a poll worker to administer an oath to you to affirm your qualifications to vote. You will swear under penalty of perjury that you are eligible and qualified to vote, after which you will be permitted to vote by regular (not affidavit) ballot.

What is an affidavit ballot?
An affidavit ballot is a paper ballot you can request if you’re not listed in the voter book but believe you are eligible to vote and are at the correct polling site. Follow the instructions to fill out this ballot and the envelope, and give it to a poll worker when you are done. After the election, the Board of Elections will check its records — if you were eligible to vote, were at the correct poll site, and filled out the ballot and envelope correctly, your vote will be counted. If not, you will receive a notice that your vote did not count. Your affidavit envelope serves as a registration form and change of address form for future elections so the BOE will have your correct information going forward.

Can I vote by mail? 
This fall, all New Yorker voters can vote by mail due to the risk of contracting the coronavirus (COVID-19). You can request your ballot online at nycabsentee.com. Select “temporary illness or disability” as the reason for your request. You can also vote by absentee ballot if you are unable to get to your polling place due to absence from New York City on Election Day; temporary or permanent illness or physical disability; hospitalization; duties related to primary care of one or more individuals who are ill or disabled; or detention in a veterans administration hospital, jail, or prison, awaiting trial or action by a grand jury, or in prison for a conviction of a crime or offense that was not a felony. More info and print-at-home forms can be found at www.nyccfb.info/absentee. Note: the post office cannot guarantee timely delivery of ballots applied for less than 15 days before an election.

How do I vote by mail?
First, you must request a mail-in or absentee ballot (see above). If you qualify, the BOE will send you an absentee ballot with two envelopes, an inner envelope for you to sign and date and an outer envelope which has the BOE’s address on it.

• Fill out your ballot (do not make any stray marks or write anything on the ballot).
• Fold the ballot and place it in the envelope that has a line for the date and your signature. Seal the envelope (do not use tape).
• After you have read the voter oath, sign and date the envelope underneath the oath.
• Place the ballot envelope into the outer envelope with the BOE’s address. Seal the envelope (do not use tape).
• Add postage if required and make sure the envelope is postmarked with the date of mailing.
• Drop off the sealed envelope at any poll site or local BOE office.

Read the instructions on your ballot carefully as they are subject to change.

What if I planned to vote in person, but fall ill and can't get to my polling place on Election Day?
If the deadline for requesting an absentee ballot by mail has passed and you cannot appear at your poll site on Election Day because of an accident or sudden illness, you can send a representative to your BOE borough office with a written letter of authorization to obtain an absentee ballot on your behalf. A completed application and your completed ballot must be returned to your BOE borough office by 9:00 p.m. on Election Day.

I have a disability and I need help voting. What resources are there for me? 
You have the right to request and receive assistance from anyone of your choice (except your employer or union representative) while you are at the polls. You can also ask any of the poll workers at your poll site for help, or ask to use the ballot marking device (BMD). You can use the BMD either to see the ballot on a display screen or listen to your choices through headphones. You also have the right to vote absentee if you’re unable to get to the polls.

I am currently homeless. Can I vote? 
Yes, people experiencing homelessness can register and vote in New York City, but you must have a mailing address where the BOE can send you notices.

Can I vote if I was convicted of a felony? 
You may register and vote if you were convicted of a felony and for that felony:

• You were sentenced to probation;
• You were not sentenced to incarceration or your prison sentence was suspended;
• You have served your maximum prison sentence, in which case you are able to re-register to vote
• You were on parole and then discharged, in which case you are able to re-register to vote; or
• You have received a pardon, including those covered by NYS Executive Order No. 181, or have been issued a Certificate of Relief from Disabilities or a Certificate of Good Conduct while on parole.

You may not register or vote, if you have been convicted of a felony and for that felony:

• You are currently incarcerated; or
• You are under parole supervision, unless:
  • 1. You’ve received a pardon through NY State Executive Order No. 181, “Restoring the Right to Vote for New Yorkers on Parole.” (Parolees should check the Dept. of Corrections and Community Supervision website or with their parole officer to learn if they’ve received a “voting pardon” under this order), or
  • 2. You have been issued a Certificate of Relief from Disabilities or a Certificate of Good Conduct while on parole.