Today is National Voter Registration Day 2020! That means there’s only another 41 days left until Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3.
And while you may be registered — what about your family? Your friends? Your neighbors? Are they aware of the voter deadlines here in New York? Of their voting options? Early voting dates? How to request an absentee ballot? Or how to check on their registration status?
See our full rundown of New York State voting information below for the 2020 General Election.
General Election 2020
This year’s General Election will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 3. In New York state, polling locations will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Election Day.
The early voting period in New York State for the General Election will be from Oct. 24 to Nov. 1.
Voter Registration Deadlines
Voters who want to mail in their voter registration applications must have them postmarked no later than Oct. 9, and must be received by a board of elections no later than Oct. 14.
Those who would like to submit their applications in-person must ensure their local board of elections receive it no later than Oct. 9.
Additionally, change of address notifications from registered voters must be received by their board of elections by Oct. 14. If honorably discharged from the US Military or have become a naturalized US Citizen after Oct. 9, you may register in person at their board of elections up until Oct. 24.
Voter Registration Status
You can find out if your registration is up to date here: https://voter lookup.elections.ny.gov/
Voting Options
Here in New York State, registered voters may:
- Vote on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020
- Vote during the nine-day Early Voting Period, which starts on Oct. 24 and ends on Nov. 1.
- Apply and vote by absentee ballot for the Nov. 3 General Election.
Absentee Voting
Registered voters may apply by mail, fax, email, online or calling their local board of elections. Applications and online portal can be found at: https://www.elections.ny.gov/VotingAbsentee.html.
When sending an email or fax, it must contain:
- the name and date of birth of the voter
- the address where you are registered
- the address where the ballot is to be sent
- the reason for the request
Applications can be sent by mail or dropped off in person at your local board of elections.
You may apply online, mail, email, phone or fax for an absentee ballot no later than Oct. 27. But remember that the postal service has said that they cannot guarantee timely delivery of ballots applied less than 15 days before an election.
Voters may apply in person up to Nov. 2.
Qualifications to Vote by Absentee Ballot
- Absent from your county or, if a resident of New York City absent from the five boroughs, on Election Day.
- Unable to appear at the polls due to temporary or permanent illness or disability (temporary illness includes being unable to appear due to risk of contracting or spreading a communicable disease like COVID-19).
- Unable to appear because you are the primary care giver of one or more individuals who are ill or physically disabled.
- A resident or patient of a Veterans Health Administration Hospital.
- Detained in jail awaiting Grand Jury action or confined in prison after conviction for an offense other than a felony.
Absentee Ballot
Absentee ballots will be mailed after the application has been sent in. For voters applying for an absentee ballot by mail, the United States Postal Service recommends that voters apply at least 15 days before the Nov. 3 Election Day.
For voters returning their voted absentee ballot, it must be dropped off on or before Nov. 3; if sent by mail it must be postmarked by Nov. 3 and received by the local board of elections by Nov. 10. The postal service recommends for voters treating ballots by mail that they should be mailed at least 7 days before the general election.
You Can Still Vote in Person if You Request an Absentee Ballot
Even if you request or cast and return an absentee ballot, you may still go to the polls and vote in person. The Election Law recognizes that plans change. The Board of Elections is required to check the poll book before canvassing any absentee ballot. If the voter comes to the poll site, on Election Day or during early voting and votes in person, the absentee ballot is set aside and not counted.
More Voter Information
Looking for additional information and don’t see it listed here? For more information on voting and registering to vote in New York for Election Day 2020, visit the State Board of Elections or your local County Board of Elections.