Who is eligible to register to vote?

Qualifications for Voter Registration 

• be a United States Citizen;

• be 18 years old (you may pre-register at 16 or 17 but cannot vote until you are 18);

• be a resident of this state and the county, city or village for at least 30 days before the election;

• not be in prison for a felony conviction;

• not be adjudged mentally incompetent by a court;

• not claim the right to vote elsewhere.

 

How can a New Yorker Register to Vote?

• ​New Yorkers can register to vote via the state’s online voter registration (OVR) portal.

• New Yorkers can register at a County Board of Elections, the DMV, or at any state agency-based registration center.

• New Yorkers can register by completing a voter registration form and mailing it to the local County Board of Elections.

• New Yorkers may register to vote up to ten days before an election in order to vote in that election.

 

How can a Voter Update their Registration?

• Voters may use the online voter registration (OVR) portal or a voter registration form to update their registration. Notices of change of name or address from registered voters must be received at least 15 days before an election by the County Board of Elections. An application to change one's party enrollment in any year must be received by the County Board of Elections no later than February 14th in order to vote in that party’s Primary Election(s) for that year.

 

What are the Voter Registration Options Available to New Yorkers with Accessibility Needs? 

• The New York State Board of Elections has made registering to vote accessible to all New Yorkers by offering multiple methods for completing a Voter Registration Form on our Voter Registration page.

How can a Voter Request an Early Vote By Mail Ballot?

• Voters can request an early vote by mail ballot via the State Board’s online portal, by mailing in an application, or by returning the completed application in person to the local County Board of Elections (or sending it along with a designee).

 

How can a Voter Request an Absentee Ballot?

• Voters can request an absentee ballot via the State Board’s online portal, by mailing in an application, or by returning the completed application in person to the local County Board of Elections (or sending it along with a designee).

 

How can a voter look up their polling place to vote in person?

• Voters can look up their polling place, for both Early Voting days and Election Day, via the State Board’s voter lookup application. Alternatively, voters can contact their local County Board of Elections. Early Voting occurs for nine days, starting with the tenth day before Election Day. Locations and hours vary from county to county.

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*All information listed above is taken directly from the NYS Board of Elections website