Menu

Voter Registration FAQ
2023 VOTERS GUIDE

When are election this year?

  • Presidential Primary: Tuesday, April 2, 2024
  • New York State Primar: Tuesday, June 25, 2024
  • General Election: Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Who can vote?

To vote you must:

  • 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 (16 and 17 year olds may pre-register)
  • live at your present address at least 30 days before an election
  • not be currently incarcerated for a felony conviction
  • not be adjudged mentally incompetent by a court
  • not claim the right to vote elsewhere
  • be registered to vote

In New York State, before you can vote you need to register

How do I register?

  • Online through NYS Department of Motor Vehicles website: (must have a valid NYS driver’s license, Learner Permit or Non-Driver ID)
  • In-person on any business day at your county Board of Elections (BOEs) or any state agency participating in the National Voter Registration Act (including State University and City University campuses) See list of agencies
  • By mail by completing a voter registration form available at BOEs, libraries, town halls, post offices and the League of Women Voters.

Your registration is permanent but you must fill out a new Voter Registration Form if you change your name, move, or want to change your political party.

How do I make sure I am registered to vote?

In this altered image, a happy man in a crowd of people carrying signs holds a large sign saying, simply, 'VOTE,' as another member of the crowd points to the word VOTE.

Illustration adapted from William P. Gottlieb's American Federation of Musicians, ca. Jan. 1947, Public Domain image via the Library of Congress.

Where do I vote?

Three ways to vote

  • Vote in person on primary or election day at assigned polling place
  • Submit absentee ballot application and vote by absentee ballot. If you apply for an absentee ballot and decide to vote in person, in-person vote will be by affidavit ballot.
  • Vote early in person during nine days leading up to election days at any of the early voting polling places

How do I vote by absentee ballot?

  • Meet one of the qualifications:
    1. Absent from your county or (if a resident of New York City, absent from the five boroughs) on Election Day
    2. 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)
    3. Unable to appear because you are the primary caregiver of one or more individuals who are ill or physically disabled
    4. A resident or patient of a Veterans Health Administration Hospital
    5. Detained in jail awaiting Grand Jury action or confined in prison after conviction for an offense other than a felony
  • Complete and mail absentee ballot application to your county BOE office or apply for an absentee ballot online

Do I need identification to vote?

  • NO! Your signature is your identification to vote.
  • You may be asked for identification if it is the first time you are voting in person and registered by mail.

Where do I find ballot and candidate information?

What if I need help on Election Day?

Call one of these Election Protection Hotlines

  • Arabic: 1-844-YALLA-US (844-925-5287)
  • Asian multilingual assistance: 1-888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683)
  • en Español: 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682)
  • English: 1-866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)
  • 866-OUR-VOTE isn't just for issues on election day -- they'll answer your questions by phone or text anytime and they have information online, too.

This Voters Guide is adapted from a 2022 print brochure prepared by the League of Women Voters of New York State.

More information

Find Candidate Forums, Ballot Proposals, and contact information for your State and County Boards of Elections on our Voter Information page

Be Election Ready!