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For voters in New York State, request a ballot to vote early and learn how to request an Early Mail Ballot Information

Request an Early Mail Ballot from the NYS Board of Elections

Absentee Ballot Information

Request an Absentee Ballot from the NYS Board of Election's website. 

Absentee/Early Vote By Mail Web Portal

Request an absentee ballot through NYS Web Portal

Are you in the Military?

If you are in the Military and need an absentee ballot application please go to the Federal Voting Assistance Program website

Absentee Ballot Information for Disabled Voters

Get the New York Accessible Electronic Absentee Ballot Application from the NYS Board of Elections.

Accessible Absentee Voting

Voters with a visual impairment that require a ballot with accessible features may apply using the online Accessible Absentee Ballot Application portal:

Voters using the accessible absentee ballot system in need of printing services in order to print their ballot can access such services at certain public printing resources, including but not limited to, libraries, print stores, shipping stores, and office supply stores. Voters should contact their local printing resources for details on the printing services offered.

In-person voting using an accessible Ballot Marking Device (“BMD”) during early voting or on Election Day is still available to voters with a disability who do not want to vote by absentee ballot using the accessible absentee ballot system.

Learn more about the Accessible Absentee Voting for Voters in New York State.


Who is eligible for an absentee ballot?

Any registered voter who: is absent from their county of residence on any primary, special or general election; 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); has duties related to primary care of one or more individuals who are ill or physically disabled, a resident or patient of a Veterans health Administration Hospital; or is detained in jail awaiting grand jury action or confined in prison after conviction for an offense other than a felony may apply for an absentee ballot.

Anyone who is permanently ill or disabled may apply for a permanent absentee ballot. The Board of Elections will investigate the facts given and, if satisfied, will mark the voter's record "Permanently Disabled". A ballot will automatically be mailed for each election thereafter in which the voter is qualified to vote.

In New York State you may not vote in a primary election unless you are enrolled in a political party holding a primary. In this case, an absentee ballot would not be issued to anyone not enrolled in a party. If you have questions regarding your enrollment please contact the Board of Elections.


How does an absentee ballot work?

An absentee ballot is a paper ballot which, when requested by you, is mailed directly to your residence or address in which you have requested it be mailed. Once you receive the ballot, mark the ballot according to your choices for each office following the instructions on the ballot.  Upon completing your ballot fold it up and place it in the Security Envelope (this envelope will have a place for your signature). After signing and sealing the Security Envelope in the place the Security Envelope in the Return Envelope and seal (this envelope will have the return address of your county Board of Elections on the outside and should have a logo that reads, "Official Election Mail")

Keep in mind that unless the oath is signed and the ballot is sealed in the security envelope, your ballot will not be counted.  There are certain errors or problems that can occur when a voter completes an absentee ballot envelope.  Many of these errors or problems are curable by means of filing a cure statement with the board.  If your ballot envelope has a curable defect, you will receive a notice from the board of elections.

This ballot, if mailed must be postmarked no later than election day, Primary Election Day June, 28, 2022 or General Election Day November 8, 2022. Or if personally delivered, must be received by the Board of Elections no later than the close of polls on election day -- 9:00 PM.


How do I apply for an absentee ballot?

You may request an absentee ballot by submitting a completed application in the mail, by going in-person to your local county board of elections, by designating another person to deliver your application in-person to your local county board of elections and receive your ballot or by using a web portal provided by the NYS Board of Elections.


When do I apply for an absentee ballot?

You may request an absentee ballot application at any time.

If you mail your application, the application must, by law, be received at the your county Board of Elections 15 days before the election for which you are requesting the absentee ballot.  If application in person (or someone you have designated is delivering it for you) you may do so up until close of business on the day before the election.  The Board of Elections urges you to apply as early as possible to avoid delays.

Apply for your absentee ballot as soon as you know you will need it.

Once the ballots are printed, you can apply for, receive, and cast your ballot all in one trip to the County Board of Elections.


New Absentee Ballot Procedure:

Due to a recent change in law, New York State voters are no longer permitted to cast a ballot on a voting machine if they have already been issued an absentee ballot for that election.  Voters who have already been issued an absentee ballot can still vote in person using an affidavit ballot. The affidavit ballot will be kept separate until the election is completed.  Election officials will verify whether the voter's absentee ballot has been received. If the voter's absentee ballot has been received, the affidavit ballot will not be counted. If the voter's absentee ballot has not been received, the affidavit ballot will be counted.

If a voter requests a second absentee ballot, any previously issued absentee ballot that is returned by the voter will be set aside unopened to provide the voter a chance to return the second ballot, unless the first ballot has already been opened. If both ballots are received before the return deadline, the ballot with the later postmark date is accepted any any other ballots that have been received are rejected, unless the first ballot has already been opened. If a voter submits more than one timely absentee ballot and cast an affidavit ballot, the last received ballot, either submitted in person during the election or by mail within the absentee return deadline, will be canvassed.


Make sure your vote counts!

These notices explain how to make sure your vote counts and how to avoid over votes (filling in too many ovals) and double votes (voting more than once for the same candidate).


More information on Absentee Ballots and Associated Forms