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Absentee Ballots
If you know you will not be in your voting district on a given election 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.
Absentee ballot application
When completing the application form, be sure to print clearly.
- Download Absentee Ballot Application (English)
- Descargue la Solicitud para Voto en Ausencia (Español)
Upon completion of the absentee ballot application, you must mail it to the Board of Elections. Once we 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 your 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 up your ballot for you. Only that person designated on your application in section 6 and/or section 7 of your application may pick up and deliver your ballot.
If disabled or permanently ill
If you check the box indicating your illness or disability is permanent, once your application is approved you will automatically receive a ballot for each election in which you are eligible to vote, without having to apply again, unless you have moved and, therefore, you must reapply again.
Please note that a power of attorney or printed name stamp is not allowed for any voting purpose, including absentee applications
For additional information visit the New York State Board of Elections.