New York General Election
Last update: Oct 15, 2026 01:12 a.m. EDT
Last update: Oct 14, 2026 01:32 a.m. EDT
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Registration Summary
New York offers online voter registration. You can register by mail to vote in New York by printing a voter registration form, filling it out, and mailing it to your local election office. You can also register to vote in person if you prefer.
Voting Summary
New York allows any voter to request a ballot by mail. You can also vote in person. New York offers early voting.
19 days to Election Day!
- Vote early from Oct 24 to Nov 1. Dates and times may vary by location.
- Vote by mail: request your early mail ballot online by Oct 24.
- Visit the New York website to find where to vote.
- You may need to show an ID when you vote in person. See the “Do I need to bring an ID?” section below to learn more.
Register to Vote
Check that you're registered to vote on New York's website.
If you’re not registered:
- Register online by Oct 24.
- Your by mail registration form must be received by Oct 24.
How can I check the status of my mail ballot?
You can check the status of your ballot on New York’s website.
How do election officials keep voting secure?
Election officials in your state and community are working hard to ensure the integrity of our elections. All states have implemented security measures to protect the vote.
Visit the New York State Board of Elections website to learn more about election security. If you’re interested in getting involved with elections in your community, contact your local election office to learn about opportunities in your area.
How do I vote in person?
Where can I vote on Election Day?
You can look up where to vote on New York's site.
Can I vote early?
- Yes, early voting is offered in this election. You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.
- Learn more about voting early in New York.
- Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check New York’s site to find where to vote early.
What do I need to bring?
If you've voted in New York before, you don't need to provide ID to vote.
If you're a first-time voter who registered by mail or online and you didn't provide with your registration a New York (NY) driver’s license number, NY non-driver ID number, Social Security number, or a copy of your ID, you may need to show ID to vote. Acceptable forms include:
- current and valid photo ID
- copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows your name and address
If you're a first time voter and unable to provide ID: You will be able to vote an affidavit ballot.
Can I register to vote online?
New York offers online voter registration.
- To register online in New York, you need a NY.Gov ID. You will be asked to provide your New York State-issued ID number. If you don’t have a New York State-issued ID, you can provide the last 4 digits of your social security number. If you do not have either, you can still submit a voter registration application online, but you will have to show ID the first time you vote. You can also submit a voter registration application by mail or in person.
- If you previously used a NY.Gov account with another agency, you may use the same login to access the Online Voter Registration portal.
- If you do not have a NY.Gov account, you will need to create one.
- If you live in New York City, you can also use the New York City online voter registration system. To register online in New York City, you need to provide your New York State-issued ID number or the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you have not been issued either of these numbers, you can still submit a voter registration application online, but you will have to show ID the first time you vote. You can also submit a voter registration application by mail or in person.
Can I vote early?
Yes, New York offers early voting.
- You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.
When can I vote early?
- You can vote in person before Election Day between Oct 24 and Nov 1. Dates and times may vary by location.
Where can I vote early?
- Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check New York's site to find where to vote early.
What do I need to bring?
If you've voted in New York before, you don't need to provide ID to vote.
If you're a first-time voter who registered by mail or online and you didn't provide with your registration a New York (NY) driver’s license number, NY non-driver ID number, Social Security number, or a copy of your ID, you may need to show ID to vote. Acceptable forms include:
- current and valid photo ID
- copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows your name and address
If you're a first time voter and unable to provide ID: You will be able to vote an affidavit ballot.
Can I submit voter registration forms by mail?
Yes, you can submit your voter registration application by mail using the National Voter Registration Form or the New York voter registration form.
Once you confirm that you’re eligible to vote, print your form and fill it out.
To complete the National Voter Registration Form, use these instructions to fill out the following fields:
Box 6 - ID Number:
To submit a voter registration application by mail in New York, you must provide your New York driver's license, learner's permit, OR state ID number, if you have one. Otherwise, you must instead provide the last four digits of your Social Security number.
If you have not been issued any of these ID numbers, indicate this on the form. New York will assign you a unique identification number.
Box 7 - Choice of Party: You are required to register with a party to participate in New York partisan primary elections. You should register with the party whose primary you would like to vote in.
Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank. This information is not required.
If you are registering to vote for the first time in your county and submit your registration application by mail, federal law requires you to provide proof of identification. Include an acceptable ID number, if you have been issued one, on your application. If you have not been issued an acceptable ID number, you must instead submit with your application a COPY of identification documentation OR show proof of identification when you vote. Acceptable forms of identification include a current and valid photo ID OR a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address. More information about these requirements is available on the National Voter Registration Form.
- You may be exempt from federal proof of identification requirements if you are entitled to vote by early mail ballot under the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act or another federal law.
- Depending on your state, you may need to show additional identification when you vote, even if you meet federal identification requirements.
Once you’ve filled out all required fields on the form you selected, sign the completed form and send it to your local election office.
How do I vote by mail?
In New York, any registered voter can request to get a ballot by mail. Request your early mail ballot online by Oct 24.
What should I do if I don’t get my ballot?
If you don’t receive your ballot in the mail, then contact your local election office.
How do I return my ballot?
- Read the instructions carefully on how to mark and return your ballot.
- You can return your ballot by mail or by visiting your County Board of Elections or any early voting location, any drop box location (if available), or any Election Day voting location in your county.
- Learn more about when and where to drop off your early mail ballot.
- If you choose to return your ballot through the mail, be sure to mail your ballot at least one week before the deadline to ensure it's timely postmarked. Keep in mind that USPS might not postmark your mail on the day it's dropped off. You can also request a manual postmark at the counter of a USPS office. Find a USPS location near you.
What do I need to do if I’ve moved?
What’s on your ballot depends on where you live, so your voter registration is tied to your exact address. If you’ve moved, you need to update your registration record with your new address.
How can I check the status of my ballot?
You can check the status of your ballot on New York’s site.
Can I register to vote on Election Day?
No, this election does not offer in-person registration on Election Day.
Can I submit voter registration forms in person?
- You can complete a voter registration application in person. Contact your local election office for information on when and where to register to vote.
- Learn more by visiting the New York State Board of Elections website or contacting your local election office.
What are key deadlines for this election?
Registration deadlines
- In-person at local election office : Oct 24
- Online : Oct 24
- By mail (received by) : Oct 24
Absentee ballot deadlines
- Request ballot (received by) : Oct 24
- Return ballot by mail (postmarked by) : Nov 3
- Return ballot in person : Nov 3 by 9:00 p.m. EST
Do I need to bring an ID to vote in person?
If you've voted in New York before, you don't need to provide ID to vote.
If you're a first-time voter who registered by mail or online and you didn't provide with your registration a New York (NY) driver’s license number, NY non-driver ID number, Social Security number, or a copy of your ID, you may need to show ID to vote. Acceptable forms include:
- current and valid photo ID
- copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows your name and address
If you're a first time voter and unable to provide ID: You will be able to vote an affidavit ballot.
How do I see what's on my ballot?
View official ballot information on the New York State Board of Elections website, if available.
How do I get help registering to vote?
TurboVote can help you make your plan to vote. They can help you start the registration process, learn how to vote by mail, send you election reminders, and more.
Who can register to vote?
To register in New York you must:
- be a United States citizen
- be a resident of the state of New York and the county, city, or village in which you register for at least 30 days before the election in which you vote
- be 18 years old (you may pre-register at 16 or 17 but cannot vote until you are 18)
- not be in prison for a felony conviction
- not be adjudged mentally incompetent by a court
- not claim the right to vote elsewhere
How do I vote if I'm in the military or live overseas?
Active-duty military, their families, and overseas citizens can register to vote and request their absentee ballot using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA process is done by mail, but your state may offer other options to request and return ballots. Please contact your local election office for more information about delivery and return methods, including email, fax, and state online portals. To follow the FPCA process:
- Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), or download a copy. Your local election office may have questions, so please provide an email address or phone number where they can reach you.
- Send the application to your local election office.
- It is never too early to submit an FPCA! Please do so as soon as possible.
- Please fill out and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it.
- States begin mailing absentee ballots at least 45 days before Election Day. If you haven't received your ballot by 30 days before Election Day, contact your local election office.
If your ballot does not arrive after you submit your FPCA, contact your local election office first. Then:
- You can still vote using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Print, sign, and mail your FWAB to your local election office.
- If you mail a FWAB and then receive your regular absentee ballot, you should complete and mail your absentee ballot also. Election officials will ensure that only one ballot is counted.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program offers additional information on military and overseas voting in New York. You can also call 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or email vote@fvap.gov
How can I check my voter registration status?
You can look up your voter registration record and verify that your information is correct using New York's voter registration lookup tool.
How do I contact my state election office?
Which election office should I contact?
- In New York, your local election office runs the elections in your area. They can help you with questions about registering to vote, voting by mail, and local elections.
- The State Board of Elections oversees elections and election administration in New York. They can help you with questions about voting in your state, election security, or issues you might have at the polls. If you have concerns about voter intimidation, reach out immediately.
How do I contact my local election office?
Visit your state’s site to find your local election office.