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New York · How-To Guide

How do I register to vote or check my registration?

County Board of Elections (county level - each of NY's 62 counties including the 5 NYC boroughs) / NYC Board of Elections (NYC - separate board) / New York State Board of Elections (state level)
Step by Step

How to do it

  1. Confirm eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen, New York State resident, at least 18 years old on or before Election Day (may pre-register at 16; register at 17 if will be 18 by next election), county/city/village resident for at least 30 days before election, not currently incarcerated for a felony conviction, and not adjudged mentally incompetent by a court
  2. Choose your registration method:
  3. ONLINE: elections.ny.gov/register-vote (NY Board of Elections online portal) - requires valid NY driver's license, non-driver ID, or last 4 digits of SSN; registration must be received 10 days before the election
  4. BY MAIL: Download or request NY voter registration form from elections.ny.gov; complete, sign, mail to your County Board of Elections - must be RECEIVED by the county BOE at least 10 days before Election Day
  5. IN PERSON: County Board of Elections; NY Department of Motor Vehicles; many state agency voter registration sites - in-person deadline: also 10 days before election; same-day registration available during early voting period (see below)
  6. AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION: NY DMV automatically registers eligible individuals when they apply for or renew a license (opt-out available)
  7. Receive voter registration confirmation
Details

What you need to know

Required Docs
  • Valid NY driver's license or non-driver ID number (for online)
  • OR last 4 digits of Social Security number
  • Date of birth and current NY address
Fee
Free REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 10 days before Election Day (received - online, mail, in-person at BOE) SAME-DAY REGISTRATION DURING EARLY VOTING: YES - NY allows same-day voter registration at early voting sites during the 9-day early voting period (starts October 25 for general elections) NOTE: No same-day registration on ELECTION DAY itself (only during early voting window) CHECK YOUR REGISTRATION: elections.ny.gov/VoterSearch or vote.nyc for NYC EARLY VOTING: New York has mandatory 9-day early voting period before primary and general elections; no excuse required; contact your county BOE for sites and hours NO-EXCUSE ABSENTEE VOTING: Any registered NY voter may vote by absentee ballot (no-excuse); apply at elections.ny.gov; request by 10 days before election (mail) or day before (in person); ballot postmarked Election Day accepted if received within 7 days ONLINE OPTION: Yes - elections.ny.gov (registration, absentee requests, status check); vote.nyc for NYC WHERE TO GO: NY Board of Elections online portal; County Board of Elections; NY DMV
Online Option
Yes - elections.ny.gov (registration, absentee requests, status check); vote.nyc for NYC
Where to Go
NY Board of Elections online portal; County Board of Elections; NY DMV
County-specific variations apply

Each of NY's 62 counties has its own Board of Elections. NYC has a separate NYC Board of Elections (nycvotes.org or vote.nyc) covering all 5 boroughs. Moving between NY counties: re-register in new county at least 10 days before next election. Early voting sites vary by county; contact your specific county BOE.

New York Notes

Important state-specific details

  • SAME-DAY REGISTRATION during the 9-day early voting period - very useful if you miss the advance deadline.
  • NO SAME-DAY REGISTRATION on Election Day itself (different from some states).
  • NO-EXCUSE ABSENTEE VOTING: any registered NY voter may vote by mail; state requires ballots postmarked by Election Day to be accepted if received within 7 days after.
  • 9-DAY EARLY VOTING period before each primary and general election; starts typically 9 days before election and runs through the Saturday before.
  • FELONY VOTING RIGHTS (2021 law): immediately restored upon release from prison - parole and probation do NOT restrict voting; simple bright-line rule: if not incarcerated, can register; DOCCS notifies prisoners of this right before release.
  • PRE-REGISTRATION: available at age 16 (and 17 can register if will be 18 by next election).
  • PARTY REGISTRATION: NY has closed primaries - must be registered with a party to vote in that party's primary.
  • Polls open 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM.
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
New York State Board of Elections - elections.ny.gov | 1-800-FOR-VOTE (367-8683); NYC Board of Elections - vote.nyc | (866) 868-3692; County Board of Elections (varies by county)