New York

Voting Guide

Registration Deadlines and Election Dates

By Mail Voter Registration Deadline: Postmarked no later than 15 days before Election Day, received no later than 10 days before Election Day

In-Person Voter Registration Deadline: 10 days before Election Day.

Change of Address Deadline: 15 days before Election Day.

2023

Local Primary Election: June 27, 2023
By Mail Registration Deadline: Postmarked by June 12, received by June 17, 2023
In Person Registration Deadline: June 17, 2023
Change of Address Deadline: June 12, 2023
General Election: November 7, 2023
By mail Registration Deadline: Postmarked by October 23, received by October 28, 2023
In Person Registration Deadline: October 28, 2023
Change of Address Deadline: October 23, 2023

Official Election Websites

More election information at: elections.ny.gov

Mail-in Voter Registration PDF Form available at: bit.ly/NYSBOEVoterRegForm

Voter Registration Form Online Request Portal (for election officials to send you a form in the mail): elections.ny.gov/VoterRegSite/VoterRegistration

Register at School or Home

Students have a decision about where to register to vote.

You have a right to register to vote at the address you consider the place where you live, whether that is your family's home or the place where you attend school. You should update your registration anytime this home address changes.

You may only be registered and vote in one location.

What Type of ID Do I Need to Register?

New York’s voter registration form asks for your New York State DMV number, or the last four digits of your Social Security number. Be sure to provide one of these numbers if you have it.

What Type of ID Do I Need to Vote?

New York law does not require an ID to vote.

Where Do I Vote?

Make a plan. Look up your voting site and hours at: voterlookup.elections.ny.gov/

How Can I Vote?

By Mail

New York requires an excuse to vote by mail. Voters are eligible to vote absentee if they will be:

Absent from their county of registration on Election Day (or, if registered in New York City, absent from the city on Election Day)
Temporarily or permanently disabled or the primary caretaker of a temporarily or permanently disabled person
A resident or patient of a Veteran’s Health Administration Hospital
Detained in jail awaiting trial or confined in prison following conviction for a non-felony offense

You can apply for an absentee ballot online or by downloading a PDF application at: elections.ny.gov/VotingAbsentee.html

If a voter wishes to receive their ballot in the mail, their absentee ballot application requesting it must be received 15 days before Election Day. Applications for an absentee ballot that will be given to the voter in person must be received no later than the day before Election Day.

Completed absentee ballots can be returned by mail or in person. Ballots returned in person must be received by the close of polls on Election Day. If returned by mail, they must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received not later than 7 days after Election Day.

Early In-Person

Any registered voter may vote early in-person during the early voting period, starting 10 days before Election Day through the 2nd day before Election Day. Contact your local board of elections for information early voting locations.

Election Day

Voting sites will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Election Day. If you are in line by the closing time then you have the right to vote.

Common Questions/Concerns

Registering to Vote Does Not Affect Your:

Federal Financial Aid

Where you register to vote will not affect federal financial aid such as Pell Grants, Perkins or Stafford loans, or your dependency status for FAFSA.

Status as a Dependent on Your Parents’ Taxes

Being registered to vote at a different address from your parents does not prevent them from claiming you as a dependent on their taxes.

Tuition Status

Being deemed out-of-state for tuition purposes does not prevent you from choosing to register to vote in your campus community.

Will registering to vote in New York affect my driver’s license or car registration?

As a full-time student in New York, you may have to make these changes regardless of whether you register to vote in New York. For more information, contact the New York Department of Motor Vehicles.

Fair Elections Center and Campus Vote Project intend the information contained herein to be used only as a general guide. This document should not be used as a substitute for consultation with a licensed New York legal professional.

Last updated April 2023