Absentee voting is available if you meet any of the criteria below. The last day to request an absentee ballot is 15 days before an Election if requested by letter/fax/online and one day before an election if requested in person. To be counted, an absentee ballot must be postmarked by Election Day and must reach the board of elections no more than seven days after the election. You may drop off your absentee ballot in person on Election Day.
You are eligible for an absentee ballot if:
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You are unavoidably absent from your county on Election Day
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Unable to appear at the polls due to illness or disability (or a primary care giver of individuals who are ill or physically disabled)
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Are a patient in a Veterans Administration Hospital
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Detained in jail awaiting grand jury action or confined in prison after conviction for an offense other than a felony.
Applications for absentee ballots are available from your county board of elections.
If you cannot pick up your ballot, or will not be able to receive it through the mail, you have the right to designate someone to pick it up for you. Only the person designated on your application may pick up and deliver your ballot.
If you are permanently ill or disabled, you have the right to receive an absentee ballot for each future elections without further application. You should file an application with your board of elections containing a statement which describes the particulars of your illness or disability. The board will review the facts stated, and if satisfied, will mark your registration record. You will then automatically receive an absentee ballot for every election until your registration is canceled.
You may also request an absentee ballot by sending a letter to your county board of elections. The letter must contain the following information:
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The address where you are registered
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An address where the ballot is to be sent
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The reason for the request
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The signature of the voter
An application form will be mailed with your ballot. The application form must be completed and returned with your ballot. Ballots will begin being sent out 46 days before the election.
Overseas citizens and U.S. military personnel can find information on how to register to vote and request an absentee ballot at the Overseas Vote Foundation.
Due to a new law in New York State, if you request an absentee ballot and wish to vote in person instead, you will be asked to vote a provisional that will only be counted if your absentee ballot never gets sent in.
Request your Ballot