Vote by Mail

Voting by mail is a safe, easy, and secure option for those who need it!

You can request an absentee ballot if you have a valid reason, such as being away from New York on Election Day or having an illness or physical disability.

Did you know: Over 33x more voters requested absentee ballots in the June 2020 presidential primary election than in the 2016 presidential primary election.

How to Vote by Mail

To vote by mail you must request an absentee ballot from the Board of Elections. Accessible absentee ballots that can be read by a screen reader are also available for voters who are visually impaired.

Online

• You can request an absentee ballot from the NYC Board of Elections website. It takes less than two minutes!

By Mail

• To request an absentee ballot by mail, fill out a paper request form and mail it to your local NYC Board of Elections office.

Phone

• You can also call the NYC Board of Elections to ask for a ballot request form. Call 1-866-VOTE-NYC (1-866-868-3692).

To complete your ballot:

1. Use a blue or black pen.
2. Make your choices for each office and circle them on the ballot.
3. Sign and date the outside of the security envelope.
4. Seal the security envelope.
5. Place the Security Envelope in the larger return envelope which has the return address of your Board of Elections along with a logo on its front which reads: “Official Election Mail”.
6. Seal the Return Envelope.
7. Find a mailbox and drop it in there. No postage needed!

You can return your absentee ballot by mailing it to the NYC Board of Elections or dropping it off at a ballot box.

Mail in your ballot

• Your ballot must be postmarked by November 5. We recommend mailing it in as soon as possible!
• Return postage is prepaid. You do not need to add a stamp.

Drop off your ballot

• You can drop your ballot in a ballot box at any poll site or Board of Elections office by November 5.
• You do not need postage if you are dropping off your ballot.

You can track your ballot from the Board of Elections. The ballot tracker will let you know the status of your ballot after you submit a request. It will also let you know if the Board of Elections has received your completed ballot and whether it’s valid.

The Board of Elections is required to notify you if there is a curable error on your ballot envelope, such as a missing or incorrect signature. If there is a fixable error on your ballot, they will contact you by mail, email, and phone (if available) within one day of discovering the error. You will then have a minimum of five days to correct the error by returning a signed affirmation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are valid reasons for requesting an absentee ballot?

You can request an absentee ballot if you are away from New York City on Election Day, have an illness or physical disability, are a primary care provider for people who are ill or physically disabled, a resident or patient of a Veterans Health Administration Hospital, or if you are imprisoned or awaiting trial. You can mark your reason on your absentee ballot request form. Request your absentee ballot.

Can I still vote in person if I request or submit an absentee ballot?

If you requested an absentee ballot, then you should plan to vote with it. You can drop off your completed absentee ballot at any voting site while polls are open. However, if you choose to vote in person after requesting an absentee ballot, you will have to vote with an affidavit ballot at your poll site. This ballot will look different. Ask a poll worker for help if you need it.

Can I vote absentee in person?

Sounds strange, but it’s true! You can vote absentee in person at your borough’s Board of Elections office. Offices are open 9am-5pm Monday through Friday, and on the weekend prior to Election Day. This can be a helpful option if you miss the deadline to request a ballot online or by mail. On Election Day offices are open until 9pm. Find your local Board of Elections office.

Can I join a permanent absentee ballot list?

Yes! If you are permanently ill or disabled and cannot get to your poll site, you can join the Board of Elections permanent absentee ballot list. To join, check the box marked “permanent illness or physical disability” on the absentee ballot application. The Board of Elections will automatically send you an absentee ballot application for every election you are qualified to vote in.