How to Register, Vote and Track Your Ballot in New York

En español | Registered voters in New York may only cast an absentee ballot if they meet certain eligibility requirements, such as having an illness or a disability.

The New York City Council general election is on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. The next statewide elections are in 2024.

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• Upcoming elections: Information about statewide elections is not yet available but will be published on the New York Board of Elections website.
  
• Absentee voting: You are eligible to vote absentee if you meet certain requirements, such as if you have an illness or a disability. Find a list of qualifications on the state elections website.

• Early in-person voting: Vote early at your polling place starting 10 days before an election. Contact your county board of elections for locations.

• Voting at the polls: First-time voters who didn’t provide ID when registering to vote will need to bring an approved ID to the polls, such as a New York driver’s license, a utility bill or other government document that includes your name and address.

The state launched an online voter registration portal in May 2023. New York voters can use the portal to register, update their registration status or change their party affiliation.

A 2022 redistricting plan redrew the boundaries of New York’s U.S. congressional and state legislative districts. In July 2023, a New York appellate court ruled the congressional map must be redrawn.

• Online: Go to the state’s voter registration portal. You must have an NY.gov account. If you are a resident of New York City, it’s recommended you use the city’s voter registration portal. Or register using the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website. You must have a New York State DMV-issued driver's license, permit or non-driver ID, the last four digits of your Social Security number and your ZIP code must be on record with the DMV to do so.

• By mail: Download a voter registration form from the state elections website. Print, complete and mail the form to your county board of elections. You can also request that a registration form be mailed to you through the state elections website or by calling 800-367-8683.

• In person: Register at your county board of elections or at any New York State agency-based voter registration center, which include city and state universities of New York, the Office for the Aging and the Department of Social Services.

Check your registration using the state’s voter registration portal. And you can use the downloadable voter registration form to change your name, address or party affiliation.

Yes, when voting in a primary. You don’t have to choose a political party when you register to vote, but you must be registered with one to vote in that party’s primary.

Registered voters must meet certain eligibility requirements to receive an absentee ballot.

• Online: Request an absentee ballot on the state elections website.

• Mail or phone: Download an application from the state elections website, complete it and mail it to your county board of elections office. Or call your elections office to request an application. Mailed absentee ballots must be postmarked by Election Day.
  
• In person: Fill out an application at your county board of elections office. You can also designate another person to deliver your application to your county board of elections office and receive your ballot. Submit the application in person to your elections office no later than Election Day.

Yes. New York City voters can track their ballots with the city board of elections online tracker. Voters living outside the city should contact their county board of elections to track their ballots. New Yorkers who serve in the U.S. military or live overseas can use the New York Board of Elections online tracker.

Yes. Early in-person voting begins 10 days before an election. Contact your county board of elections for locations. 

Find your polling place on the New York Board of Elections website. Check with your local election office to confirm voting hours.
If you live in New York City, you can find your polling place with the city’s online locater. 

Bring an acceptable form of ID if you’re a first-time voter and didn’t provide one when you registered to vote. You can use your New York state driver’s license or state-issued non-driver ID card, a current utility bill, a bank statement, a paycheck or another government document that shows your name and address.  

Editor’s note: This guide was updated on Aug. 1, 2023. The guide was first published on Aug. 6, 2020.

• Keep up with local events and AARP advocacy efforts at https://states.aarp.org/newyork/