En español | New York offers several ways to register to vote, including online, by mail and in person. To get an absentee ballot, registered voters must meet certain eligibility requirements, such as illness, disability or are traveling out of state, to qualify.
The 2022 midterms decided races for the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, the state Senate and Assembly, and the state Supreme Court, as well as for governor, attorney general and other state offices.
The next statewide elections are in 2024, with City Council elections set to take place in New York City in 2023.
Essential info:
- Upcoming elections: Information about upcoming elections is not yet available, but will be published on the New York elections website.
- Absentee voting: You are eligible to vote absentee if you’re ill or disabled, have concerns about COVID-19, or are absent from your county (or, if a New York City resident, absent from one of the five boroughs) on Election Day throughout 2022. A list of qualifications for voting absentee is on the state Board of Elections website.
- Early in-person voting: Vote early at your polling place 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 state driver’s license. A list of acceptable IDs is available on the elections website.
Have there been recent changes to voting in New York?
New York’s redistricting plan redrew the boundaries of congressional and state legislative districts, which may change which candidates appear on your ballot and where you cast your ballot. And voters who have concerns about contracting or spreading COVID-19 can vote safely from home by requesting an absentee ballot throughout 2022.
How do I register to vote?
- Online: Use 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 and the last four digits of your Social Security number to register online — and your ZIP code must be on record with the DMV.
- By mail: Download a voter registration form from the state elections website, print it, fill it out and mail it to your county Board of Elections. You can also request that a registration form be mailed to you through the state Board of Elections (BOE) website or by calling the BOE at 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 the status of your registration on the Board of Elections website. And you can use the downloadable voter registration form to change your name, address or party affiliation.
Does my party preference matter when I vote?
Yes, when it comes to 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.
How can I get an absentee ballot?
Please note that registered voters must meet certain eligibility requirements, available on the New York state elections website.
- Online: Request an absentee ballot on the state Board of Elections website.
- Mail or phone: Download an application from the state Board of Elections website, fill it out online or by hand, print it and mail it to your county Board of Elections office. Or call your local county Board of Elections office and request an application be mailed to you. If you mail your completed absentee ballot, it must be postmarked by Election Day.
- In person: Visit your county Board of Elections office and fill out an application. You can also designate another person to deliver your application to your county Board of Elections office and receive your ballot. Submit it in person to your elections office no later than Election Day.
Can I track my absentee ballot?
Yes. New York City voters can track their ballots with the city Board of Elections online tracker. Those in the rest of the state should contact their county Board of Elections to track their ballots. New Yorkers who serve in the U.S. military or are overseas can use the state Board of Elections online tracker.
Can I vote in person before Election Day?
Yes. Early in-person voting begins 10 days before an election. Contact your county Board of Elections for locations.
What do I need to know about voting at the polls on Election Day?
Find your polling place online 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.
Do I need identification to vote at the polls?
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, bank statement, paycheck or another government document, such as a U.S. passport, that shows your name and address.
Editor’s note: This guide was updated on Nov. 10, 2022. The guide was first published on Aug. 6, 2020.
Also of Interest:
- Stay updated on the 2022 election at AARP.org/election
- Keep up with local events and AARP advocacy efforts at https://states.aarp.org/newyork/
- Commit to be a NY election decider today