Need to Vote Absentee? Here’s How

The New York State Board of Elections provides the following information on voting by absentee ballot: This year is a presidential election year and election day is Tuesday, Nov. 6. If you know you will not be in your voting district on this day, you may vote by absentee ballot. See the list of reasons below for voting by absentee ballot as well as the deadlines for applying for and mailing your ballot.

You may vote by absentee ballot if you will be:

– Unavoidably absent from your county on election day
– Unable to appear at the polls due to illness or disability
– A patient in a veteran’s administration hospital
– Detained in jail awaiting grand jury action or confined in prison after conviction of an offense other than a felony.

The deadlines for absentee voting are:

– Oct. 30 – Last day to postmark application or letter of application for ballot
– Nov. 5 – Last day to apply in person for ballot
– Nov. 5 – Last day to postmark ballot. Must be received by the board of elections no later than Nov. 13
– Nov. 6 – Last day to deliver ballot in person to the board of elections.

When completing the application form, be sure to print clearly.

– Download Absentee Ballot Application

Upon completion of the absentee ballot application, you must mail it to the Board of Elections. Once they are in receipt of your application, a ballot will be mailed to you. Remember that an application for an absentee ballot is only valid for the calendar year of the request.

Designate someone to pick up you ballot

If you cannot pick up your ballot, or will not be able to receive it through the mail, you have the right to designate someone to pick it up for you. Only that person designated on your application may pick up and deliver your ballot.

If disabled or permanently ill

If you are permanently ill or disabled, you have the right to receive an absentee ballot for each subsequent election without further application. Simply file an application with your Board of Elections containing a statement which describes the particulars of your illness or disability. The Board will review the facts stated and, if satisfied, will mark your registration record. You will then automatically receive an absentee ballot for every election until your registration is cancelled.

For additional information visit the New York State Board of Elections .