Voting in New York

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The policies governing voter participation are enacted and enforced primarily at the state level. These policies, which include voter identification requirements, early voting provisions, online voter registration systems, and more, dictate the conditions under which people cast their ballots in their respective states.

This article includes the following information about voting policies in New York:

See Election administration in New York for more additional information about election administration in the state, including voter list maintenance policies, provisional ballot rules, and post-election auditing practices.

Do you have questions about your elections? Looking for information about your local election official? Click here to use U.S. Vote Foundation’s election official lookup tool.

Voter registration

Eligibility and registration details

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To vote in New York, one must be a United States citizen, a resident of the county, city, or village for at least 30 days prior to the election, and at least 18 years old by the date of the election. People who are in prison for a felony conviction and those who have been declared mentally incompetent by a court are ineligible to register to vote. One cannot register to vote in New York while claiming the right to vote elsewhere.[1] Registration applications are available at the county board of elections or any agency-based voter registration center. Forms are also available online, or prospective voters can request the form by mail.[1] Completed forms returned by mail must be postmarked at least 25 days prior to the election. The form must then be received by election officials at least 20 days before the election. A registration done in person must be completed at least 25 days prior to the election.[2] Residents may also register to vote online through the DMV Electronic Voter Registration Application. These applications are forwarded to the board of elections; applicants should allow up to six weeks for processing.[3]

New York also offers a conditional type of voter registration, which requires the use of an affidavit or provisional ballot. This type of registration is available until ten days prior to Election Day. Once election officials verify the information provided, the voter's registration is confirmed and their ballot is counted.[4][5]


In-person voting

Poll times

See also: State poll opening and closing times

For primary elections, polls open at 6:00 a.m. and close at 9:00 p.m. in New York City and the counties of Dutchess, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Putnam, and Erie. Polls open at 12:00 p.m. and close at 9:00 p.m. in all other counties. Polls open at 6:00 a.m. and close at 9:00 p.m. for general elections. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.[6]

Voter identification

See also: Voter identification laws by state

New York does not require voters to present identification while voting.[7] However, if a voter does not provide valid identification at the time of registration, he or she must show identification at the polling place when voting for the first time[8][9]


Voters can present the following forms of identification:

  • A current, valid photo ID, including but not limited to a drivers' license or a DMV-issued non-driver photo ID
  • A current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document with the voter's name and address

Early voting

See also: Early voting

Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) signed a bill into law on January 24, 2019, establishing a 10-day early voting period. The bill was scheduled to take full effect on January 1, 2020.[10][11]

Absentee/mail-in voting

See also: Absentee/mail-in voting

New York offers early mail-in voting, which does not require an excuse.[12][13] A voter in New York is also eligible to vote absentee in an election for any of the following reasons:[14]

  1. Absence from the county (or, if a resident of New York City, the city) on Election Day
  2. Illness or disability, or acting as the primary caregiver for an ill or disabled person
  3. Patient care at a Veteran's Administration hospital
  4. Incarceration for offenses other than felonies or awaiting grand jury action

In order to receive an early mail-in ballot or an absentee ballot, voters must submit an application request. These requests must be mailed to the county board of elections no later than the tenth day before the election. Absentee ballot requests may also be delivered in person and must be received no later than the day before the election.[14]

If returned by mail, completed early mail-in and absentee ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received by the board of elections within seven days after the election. If returned in person, completed early mail-in and absentee ballots must be received by the close of polls on Election Day.[15][16]


Local election officials

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Voting rules for people convicted of a felony

See also: Voting rights for convicted felons

In New York, people convicted of a felony automatically regain their voting rights after serving their prison time. People convicted of a felony need to re-register upon completion of their prison sentence.[1]

On May 4, 2021, Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) signed S830 into law, providing for the automatic restoration of voting rights for people convicted of a felony upon completion of their prison sentences. Previously, state law provided for the restoration of voting rights after completion of both prison time and parole.[17][18]

Voting rights for people convicted of a felony vary from state to state. In the majority of states, people convicted of a felony cannot vote while they are incarcerated but may regain the right to vote upon release from prison or at some point thereafter.[19]

Election agencies

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See also: State election agencies

Individuals seeking additional information about voting provisions in New York can contact the following state and federal agencies.

New York State Board of Elections

40 North Pearl St., Ste. 5
Albany, New York 12207-2729
Main phone: 518-474-6220

U.S. Election Assistance Commission

633 3rd Street NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20001
Telephone: 301-563-3919
Toll free: 1-866-747-1471

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See also

Elections in New York


External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 New York State Board of Elections, “Register to Vote,” accessed April 28, 2023
  2. ↑ New York State Board of Elections, “Voter Registration Deadlines,” accessed April 28, 2023
  3. ↑ New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, “Register to Vote Online - Electronic Voter Registration Application,” accessed April 28, 2023
  4. ↑ Ballotpedia's Legislation Tracker, “New York S05984,” accessed September 25, 2023
  5. ↑ Bill Track 50, “NY S05984,” accessed September 25, 2023
  6. ↑ New York State Board of Elections, "Frequently Asked Questions," accessed April 28, 2023
  7. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Provisional Ballots," accessed October 7, 2019
  8. ↑ New York State Senate, “Consolidated Laws, Chapter 17 Section 5-210,” accessed April 28, 2023
  9. ↑ New York State Senate, “Consolidated Laws, Chapter 17 Section 8-302,” accessed April 28, 2023
  10. ↑ NY 1, "It's Official: Early Voting is Coming to New York," January 24, 2019
  11. ↑ New York State Senate, "Voting Package Summary and Analysis," January 14, 2019
  12. ↑ Ballotpedia's Legislation Tracker, “New York S07394,” accessed September 25, 2023
  13. ↑ Bill Track 50, “NY S07394,” accessed September 25, 2023
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 New York State Board of Elections, "Absentee Voting," accessed April 28, 2023
  15. ↑ New York State Board of Elections, "Voting Deadlines," accessed April 28, 2023
  16. ↑ New York State Senate, “Consolidated Laws, Chapter 17 Section 8-412,” accessed April 28, 2023
  17. ↑ New York State Senate, "Senate Bill S830," accessed May 3, 2023
  18. ↑ NYCourts.gov, "Voting," accessed April 28, 2023
  19. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Felon Voting Rights," April 6, 2023
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