Voting FAQs

Voting FAQs

VOTING 101

There is a lot to know about voting, no matter if you are a first-time voter or a voting veteran. Our student intern collected interviews and research to understand what questions came up most often during the voting process. The answers to those questions and some useful links are on this Voting FAQ page.  Do you have a voting question that isn't answered here? Send us an email lwvnewcastle [at] gmail.com and we're happy to find the answer for you and add it to this page.

Registration 

Registration is the first step of the voting process. 

Who can register?

To register to vote in New York, you need to be a US citizen and at least 18 years of age, be a resident of NY state for at least 30 days prior to the election, not be in prison for a felony conviction, not be adjudged mentally incompetent by a court, and not claim the right to vote elsewhere. 

How do I register? 

Registration can be done online using this link: Register to Vote | The State of New York or VOTE411 

It can also be done in person at the Westchester County Board of Elections using these forms: New York State Voter Registration Form English 2026  (suggest adding link to Westchester County Board of Elections website here, which has both the links for English and Spanish forms)

What do I need to register?

Three things are needed to register: 

  • A driver's license, a permit, or another form of ID

  • Zip code of your residence 

  • Social Security number

Why is the form asking for my party affiliation?

The form will also ask for your party affiliation 

  • You do not need to pick a party affiliation to register;
  • New York has closed primaries. So if you wish to vote in a party’s primary elections, you would need to check off that party on your registration form. The deadline for registering to a party or changing party affiliation is February 14.

When is the registration cutoff date? 

The cutoff for registration is ten (10) days before the election in New York. For the 2026 general election, that date is October 24, 2026. Applications must be received by the board of elections no later than that date.

Preregistration 

Preregistration is an option available for 16- and 17-year-olds even though they are not yet eligible for voting or standard voter registration. The process is virtually the same as normal registration, except a person who pre-registers still cannot vote in any elections. Pre-registration can be accessed using this link: Register to Vote | The State of New York 

Why preregister? 

A person who preregisters will not have to worry about doing so again, unless their address or other personal information has changed.  The Board of Elections places your application in “preregistration status,” which automatically converts into an active voter registration when you turn 18 years old. By preregistering, you will be able to vote in the very first election after you turn 18, without having to worry about registration deadlines.

Voting

Registered voters can vote in the various elections that happen throughout the year. We all know about the November general election, but there are other elections during the year where you can (and should) use your voice through your vote.

  • Tuesday after the first Monday of November - general elections, including federal, state, county and local offices;
  • Fourth Tuesday of June - New York primary elections, only those registered to a party holding a primary are eligible to vote to decide who will appear on the general election ballot;
  • Third Tuesday of May - New York school district elections for budgets and school board members;
  • Second Tuesday of December - Fire district elections - fire commissioners, referendums and bonds;
  • There may also be special elections during the year held to fill vacancies created when an elected official leaves office before the end of their term.

What’s on my ballot?

Races, candidates, and propositions: 

To get an idea of the races going on in your area, the candidates in them, as well as any proposals being voted on, start with VOTE411. In New York, you can also use the voter lookup tool from the Board of Elections if you are a registered voter.

What can I use VOTE411 for? 

  • Gives you information on all the races you are eligible to vote in;

  • Information on all candidates and links for further research, including league sponsored candidate forums;

  • Gives you the option to make a personalized ballot so you are prepared for election day;

  • Registration link is available right on the site 

How do I get more information on candidates? 

Coming in person or tuning in online to League of Women Voters candidate forums and events is also an easy way to get more information on candidates. Many candidates also have their own websites for an elections where they share their views and positions.

Voting Methods 

How can I cast my vote? For most elections, there are a number of options. For others, like school and fire district elections, special rules apply. Here are the ways you can vote in the general election:

In Person:

  • You can choose to vote on election day or earlier when voting in person. Early voting begins 10 days before election day and ends the Sunday before the election. For early voting, you may vote at any available polling locations. For regular voting, you must find and go to your designated polling place (this location will show up when using the voter lookup linked above). 
  •  Find a polling place here: Voter Lookup 

Absentee:

  • If you will be away from home due to vacation, schooling, or other commitments during an election, use this Voter Absentee Ballot Application Request 
  • Absentee ballots MUST be requested 15 days prior to an election

Mail in: 

If making it to the polls is unrealistic, even though you are going to be home during the election, request a mail-in ballot:  Request a Ballot | New York State Board of Elections. If you request a mail in ballot, you must use that ballot to vote; you can not change your mind and vote in person other than by affidavit ballot, although you may return your mail in ballot to your polling place.

Do I need to bring an ID when voting? 

You do not need to present an ID when voting in New York. 

How long does in-person voting take? 

While the time varies, the process can take around 15-30 minutes depending on your polling location. Lines may be longer on certain days and at busy times. Try bringing a friend or family member to help pass the time in line. 

How do I return an absentee or vote by mail ballot?

For your absentee or vote by mail ballot to count, it must be properly completed and returned by the deadline. 

  • Proper Completion:

    • mark your ballot; 

    • Place ballot  in security envelope; 

    • sign and date the outside of the security envelope; 

    • place the security envelope in the return envelope.

    • Return envelope has Board of Elections address and is postage prepaid

  • Timely Return: Do any of the following:

    • Put in mail to be postmarked by 11/3 (beware - postmarks are no longer guaranteed on day of mailbox placement) and to be received by 11/10; 

    • bring to the Westchester County Board of Elections (445 Hamilton Ave 8th Fl, White Plains, NY 10601) by 9 pm on 11/3; The BOE has extended vote by mail hours listed on their website https://citizenparticipation.westchestercountyny.gov/

    • bring  to an early voting poll site in your county from 10/24 to 11/1 during early voting hours; 

    • bring to a poll site in your county on 11/3 by 9 pm 

Can I vote in person if I requested an early mail or absentee ballot?

If you requested and were issued an early mail or absentee ballot but want to vote in person, you may do so by affidavit ballot at your polling place. The affidavit ballot will be taken to the Board of Elections and only counted if your early mail ballot has not been received.  For more information visit the Westchester County Board of Elections https://citizenparticipation.westchestercountyny.gov/voting/request-an-e...

Why might  I want to vote in person if I requested an early mail or absentee ballot?/ How can I tell if my mail ballot was received?

:Perhaps you never received your mail in ballot or you are worried that your mailed ballot will not be received in time. You can check the status of your mail ballot using the state Board of Elections voter lookup tool - https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov/

Problems at the Polls

Even if you do everything correctly, you can still encounter problems at the polls. Knowing your rights can make the experience easier. 

Why is my name not on the registration list? I'm definitely a registered voter.

It's possible that even if you properly registered, your name may not appear on the list of registered voters. If your registration status can not be verified at the polls, you are entitled to cast a provisional or affidavit ballot. Ask for and complete your ballot. It will be taken to the Board of Elections and counted once your registration status is confirmed.

How do I report a problem at a polling location?

  • If you are at a polling site and encounter problems with people or equipment, you can submit an online complaint: Election Hotline Complaint Form

  •  You can also call the Office of the New York Attorney General's (OAG) Election Hotline at 1-866-390-2992. The line is available at these times: 

    • Every day during early voting: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

    • Day before Election Day: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m

    • Election Day: 6 a.m. - 9 p.m.

    • Day after Election Day: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m 

There’s a long line, and the polls are closing soon. What should I do?

In New York, polls are mandated to be open from 6 am to 9 pm. So long as you are in line before 9 pm, you are entitled to cast your vote. 

How can I be sure my ballot is counted?

After completing your ballot, you will then ‘feed’ your ballot into a machine that will either reject or accept the ballot based on whether the correct information has been filled out. If the machine does not reject your ballot, then your vote has been cast and recorded!

 

 

 Thanks to Madison Treible, LWVNC Youth Intern, for creating the content for this page!