Voting | Find Your Elected Officials | Electronic Voter Registration | Useful Websites | Who Can Vote? | Register to Vote | Newly Registered Voters | Absentee Ballot | Student Voting
CHANGE IN ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION DEADLINE
Monday Oct. 18 is now the last day for board of elections to receive your absentee ballot application or letter of application by mail, online portal, email or fax.
(prior announced date of Oct. 26 was changed by the NYS Legislature)
Use https://www.vote411.org in 2021!
Find Your Elected Officials
Electronic Voter Registration Application at DMV Website
The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Voter Registration Application now offers the opportunity to complete an application to register to vote or to update the information you have on file with the Board of Elections.
Updated information could include providing your County Board of Elections with your new name, new address, or changing a party enrollment.
Applications completed on this website are forwarded to the appropriate County Board of Elections for approval and processing.
See the FAQs about Electronic Voter Registration.
Useful Websites
League of Women Voters of New York http://www.lwvny.org
New York State Board of Elections http://www.elections.ny.gov
Voter Information: Who Can Vote?
To register, you must:
- be a U.S. citizen,
- be 18 years old by December 31 of the year in which you file the voter registration form,
- be 18 years old by the date of the general, primary or other election in which you want to vote,
- not be in jail or on parole for a felony conviction,
- not claim the right to vote elsewhere, and
- have lived in the county, city or village for at least 30 days before the election.
Voter Registration: How do I register to vote?
You can register by mail. Pick up a voter registration form at the Board of Elections, or from the League of Women Voters, town hall, post office, library, or various state offices. A registration form may also be obtained from The New York State Board of Elections. The completed form should be mailed to:
Suffolk County Board of Elections PO Box 700 Yaphank Avenue Yaphank, NY 11980 (631) 852-4500
You may register in person at the local Board of Elections or any state agency participating in the National Voter Registration Act, such as the Department of Motor Vehicles, on any business day throughout the year. Organizations such as the League of Women Voters often set up voter registration tables at fairs, on college campuses, etc., and you may register at any of these events.
First-Time Voters
Congratulations on registering to vote! As a citizen (age 18 or older) you have the right and responsibility to vote in elections. Educate yourself on the candidates and issues in each election.
Once your registration has been processed by your county Board of Elections you will be mailed a card giving your polling place. If you do not receive the card in 4-6 weeks or have questions you may call them:
- New York City 212 487-5300
- Nassau County 516 571-2411
- Suffolk County 631 852-4500
Although only enrolled members of a party can vote in that party's primary election, registered voters may vote for any candidate of any party on Election Day in November.
If you will be out of your county, or are physically unable To get to the polling place, you may request an absentee ballot from your Board of Elections. To be sure your request is processed, ask for this form at least 4 weeks before Election Day.
ID Needed for Voting in New York State
Federal law requires persons who register by mail and are voting for the first time to provide identification, either on the Voter Registration Form or in person at the polling place. Identification usually means a current NYS driver's license or the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you do not have a current NYS driver's license, you need to provide the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you do not have either of these, you may provide a copy of a valid photo ID, or a current utility bill, bank statement, government check or some other government documentation that shows your name and address. It's a good idea to bring your ID to the polls, especially if you registered by mail and are voting for the first time.
NEVER LEAVE THE POLLING PLACE WITHOUT VOTING! If your name is not on the list, ask for a provisional ballot!
Absentee Ballot
Absentee ballots may be requested from your Board of Elections if you meet one of these criteria:
- Absence from county or New York City on election day
- Patient or inmate in a Veterans Affairs Medical Center
- Temporary illness or physical disability. THIS INCLUDES CONCERN ABOUT COVID-19
- Permanent illness or physical disability
- Detention in jail/prison, awaiting trial, awaiting action by a grand jury, or in prison for a conviction of a crime or offense which was not a felony
- Duties related to primary care of one or more individuals who are ill or physically disabled
Click here for a New York State absentee ballot application.
This application must either be personally delivered to your county board of elections not later than the day before the election, or postmarked by a governmental postal service not later than 7th day before election day.
The ballot itself must either be personally delivered to the board of elections no later than the close of polls on election day, or postmarked by a governmental postal service not later than the day before the election and received no later than the 7th day after the election.
Student Voting
The League encourages 18-year-old high school students to register to vote. 16 and 17 year olds may re-register in NYS using the regular voter registration form on the NYS Board of Elections website https://www.elections.ny.gov/
