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Become a Poll Worker Today

It’s never too early to help democracy! By signing up to be a poll worker, you can ensure that all voters—including voters with disabilities, voters who need language assistance, and voters who want to cast their ballot in person—have a positive experience at the polls. Sign up today!

Excused-absentee voting is available if you meet any of the criteria below. The last day to request an absentee ballot is 10 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 can track your absentee ballot here.

Note: Beginning in 2024, Any registered voter in New York can apply for an early mail ballot without having to provide a reason. Click here to learn more

You are eligible for an excused-absentee ballot if: 

  • You are unavoidably absent from your county on Election Day 
  • Unable to appear at the polls due to illness or disability (or a primary caregiver of individuals who are ill or physically disabled) 
  • Are a patient in a Veterans Administration Hospital 
  • Detained in jail awaiting grand jury action or confined in prison after conviction for an offense other than a felony. 

You may apply for an absentee ballot in any of the following ways:

If you cannot pick up your ballot or are not 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 election without further application. You should file an application with your board of elections containing a statement that 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 return the ballot in any of the following ways:

  • Put it in the mail ensuring it receives a postmark no later than Election Day
  • Bringing it to your County Board of Elections Office no later than Election Day by 9pm
  • Bringing it to an early voting poll site in your county 
  • Bringing it to a poll site in your county on Election Day by 9pm

Additional Information

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. 

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