NYC Election Day 2024: Your Ultimate Guide to Voting

With Election Day right around the corner, New York City voters have a lot to consider beyond the presidential race. Several key races are on the ballot this year, impacting your city and state. Here's a comprehensive guide to ensure you're ready to make your voice heard.

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Registering
Poll Times
Voting Info

How to Register to Vote, Deadlines

You can register to vote online, by mail or in person. The deadline to register online and by mail is Saturday, October 26th. Here's how to register:

Online: Register through the NY Online Voter Registration Portal. You'll need a New York state driver's license, permit or non-driver ID card.
By Mail: Use the National Mail Voter Registration Form. A PDF version is available for download and print here.
In-Person: Register at your county board of elections, any Agency-Based voter registration center or the Department of Motor Vehicles.

To qualify for voter registration in New York, you must:

Be a United States citizen
Be 18 (you may pre-register at 16 or 17 but cannot vote until you are 18)
Be a resident of the state and 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

Am I Registered to Vote in NYC?

Already registered? Check your registration status here.

What Time Do Polls Open and Close?

Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5th. You can also vote early during the early voting period from October 26th to November 3rd. Find early voting hours in your county here. You can find New York City's early voting schedule here.

Where to Vote Near Me

Residents must vote at their assigned poll site. New York City residents can find their poll site here. All other residents should use New York State's voter lookup tool.

What to Bring When You Vote

Registered voters do not need to show ID to vote unless they did not provide identification with their registration. First-time voters must provide identification either on or with their voter registration application. If you have not provided ID by Election Day, you may vote by affidavit ballot, but not using the poll site scanner. Acceptable ID includes entering one of the following on your Voter Registration Application:

Driver's license number
Non-driver's ID number
Last four digits of your social security number

How to Report Voting Issues

To report any voting issues, contact the New York State Board of Elections Division of Election Law Enforcement Chief Enforcement Counsel (CEC) by filing a complaint here.

Early Mail Ballot

Who can apply for an early mail ballot?

Any New York registered voter can apply for an early mail ballot. This is new! Before 2024, New York had restrictions on who could request an early mail ballot.

How to apply

Online: Apply through New York's Ballot Request Application portal: RequestBallot.vote.nyc
In-Person: Go to your local county board of elections to drop off an application. Applications are available for download here.
Designated Pick-Up: Designate someone to pick up your ballot for you in person, but their name must be listed on the application.
Accessible Application: An accessible early ballot application is available for voters with disabilities.

Deadlines:

Early mail ballots must be requested by October 26th online or by November 4th in-person.

Fill out and return your ballot:

Once your mail ballot arrives, you can fill it out and return it by mailing it to your local Board of Elections or dropping it off at a ballot box. Find instructions here.

Deadline:

Ballots must be postmarked or returned to a ballot box by Election Day, November 5th.

Absentee Ballot

Who can apply?

Absentee ballots have more restrictions. Voters can qualify if they are:

Absent from your county on Election Day.
Unable to appear at the polls due to temporary or permanent illness or disability.
Unable to appear because you are the primary caregiver of one or more individuals who are ill or physically disabled.
A resident or patient of a Veterans Health Administration Hospital.
In jail or prison for any reason other than a felony conviction. This includes anyone who is awaiting grand jury action, awaiting trial, or serving a sentence for a misdemeanor.

How to apply

Voters can submit absentee ballot requests using the same steps laid out for requesting an early mail ballot. Find more information and an absentee ballot application download here.

Deadlines:

Absentee ballots must be requested by October 26th online or by November 4th in-person.
Ballots must be postmarked or returned to a ballot box by Election Day, November 5th.

New York Voter Timeline

Saturday, October 26th, 2024 – Sunday, November 3rd, 2024: Early voting
Saturday, October 26th, 2024: Early mail/absentee ballot and voter registration form request deadline
Saturday, October 26th, 2024: Voter registration application deadline
Monday, November 4th, 2024: Early mail/absentee ballot request deadline (in-person)
Tuesday, November 5th, 2024: Election Day
Tuesday, November 5th, 2024: Deadline to return early mail/absentee ballot

NYC Election Day 2024: Your Ultimate Guide to Voting