Early voting starts Saturday in NYC: hours by day, last day to register, and what's on your ballot

New Yorkers can start casting ballots in the general election on Saturday, Oct. 24. Early voting runs for nine days, through Sunday, Nov. 1, and Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. The city Board of Elections lists Saturday and Sunday as early voting days one and two on vote.nyc.

Early voting hours

Poll sites will mostly be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with three exceptions, according to THE CITY:

• Tuesday, Oct. 27, and Wednesday, Oct. 28: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 29: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 2: no early voting.
• Election Day, Nov. 3: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Public schools used as poll sites will hold classes remotely.

Your early voting site may not be the same as your Election Day site, so check findmypollsite.vote.nyc before you head out. Gothamist notes that hours differ by day, so confirm the schedule for the day you plan to go.

Deadlines this weekend

• Registration: Saturday, Oct. 24, is the last day to register, online, by mail or in person, Gothamist and THE CITY reported. You must be a U.S. citizen, a city resident for at least 30 days and 18 or older by Election Day.
• Mail and absentee ballots: Oct. 24 is also the last day to apply online. You can still apply in person at your county Board of Elections office until Nov. 2. Mail ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3.

What's on the ballot

Every city voter will see three statewide races: governor, where Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, faces Republican Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman; comptroller, with Democrat Thomas DiNapoli against Republican Joseph Hernandez; and attorney general, with Democrat Letitia James against Republican Saritha Komatireddy. Depending on where you live, you will also vote for Congress, state Senate and Assembly. Your sample ballot is available by address through the Board of Elections.

On the back are five proposed City Charter amendments on outdoor dining, city contracts, street projects and city property, building permits and the rainy day fund. Each needs a simple majority to pass. THE CITY reported that City Hall ads about the questions drew criticism this week for possible electioneering; the Mamdani administration calls them a public education campaign, and Citizens Union said no one in the city is assigned to enforce the charter's ban.

The governor's race

Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani are expected to make their first joint campaign appearance in Brooklyn on Friday, ABC7 reported, and Hochul is expected to cast her own early vote in Buffalo on Saturday. A recent Quinnipiac poll cited by the station gave Hochul a 14-point lead; Blakeman disputes the polls and says the race is closer.

Stickers, and if something goes wrong

The Board of Elections is handing out special 'I Voted' stickers to people who vote in person on Oct. 31, a Halloween design, and on Nov. 1, the day of the New York City Marathon, THE CITY reported.

If your name is not in the poll book, you have the right to cast an affidavit ballot. If you are in line when polls close, you can still vote. Questions go to the Board of Elections hotline, 1-866-VOTE-NYC (1-866-868-3692). More dates and races are in our 2026 election guide.