Voter Information

VOTER REGISTRATION
Don't forget to vote for us in the special election on February 9, 2010!
QUALIFICATIONS TO REGISTER TO VOTE
  • be a United States citizen
  • be 18 years old by the date of the general, primary or other election in which you want to vote
  • live at your present address at least 30 days before an election
  • not be in jail or on parole for a felony conviction
  • not claim the right to vote elsewhere

HOW AND WHERE TO REGISTER TO VOTE

  • You can register in person at your county board of elections or at any New York State Agency-Based voter registration center.
  • You can call our 1-800-FOR-VOTE hotline to request a voter application.
  • You can enter your name directly into the mailing list database at www.elections.state.ny.us to have a New York State Voter Registration Form mailed to you. The same form can be downloaded, or filled out online.
 
ABSENTEE BALLOT INFORMATION

QUALIFICATION TO VOTE BY ABSENTEE BALLOT

  • unavoidably absent from your county on Election Day
  • unable to appear at the polls due to illness or disability
  • 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

HOW TO VOTE BY ABSENTEE BALLOT

  • Applications for Absentee Ballots are available at your county board of elections.
  • You may also download a PDF version of the New York State Absentee Ballot Application Form at www.elections.state.ny.us.
  • Upon completion, applications must be mailed to your county board no later than the seventh day before the election or delivered in person no later than the day before the election.
  • You may also request an Absentee Ballot by sending a letter to your county board of elections. The letter must be received by your county board no earlier than 30 days and no later than seven days before the election. The letter must contain the following information: the address where you are registered, an address where the ballot is to be sent, the reason for the request, and the signature of the voter.

An application form will be mailed with your ballot. The application form must be completed and returned with your ballot.

If you cannot pick up your ballot, or will not be able to receive it through the mail, you have the right to designate someone to pick it up for you. Only that 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 subsequent election without further application. Simply file an application with your board of elections containing a statement which 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.

For more information on Voting and Voting Procedures, please visit the NYS Board of Elections web site.