New Absentee Ballot Procedure
Due to a recent change in law, New York State voters are no longer permitted to cast a ballot on a voting machine if they have already been issued an absentee ballot for that election. Voters who have already been issued an absentee ballot can still vote in person using an affidavit ballot. The affidavit ballot will be kept separate until the election is completed. Election officials will verify whether the voter’s absentee ballot has been received. If the voter’s absentee ballot has been received, the affidavit ballot will not be counted. If the voter’s absentee ballot has not been received, the affidavit ballot will be counted.
If a voter requests a second absentee ballot, any previously issued absentee ballot that is returned by the voter will be set aside unopened to provide the voter a chance to return the second ballot, unless the first ballot has already been opened. If both ballots are received before the return deadline, the ballot with the later postmark date is accepted and any other ballots that have been received are rejected, unless the first ballot has already been opened. If a voter submits more than one timely absentee ballot and cast an affidavit ballot, the last received ballot, either submitted in person during the election or by mail within the absentee return deadline, will be canvassed.
Qualifications to vote by Absentee Ballot deadlines
- 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 care giver of one or more individuals who are ill or physically disabled.
- A resident or patient of a Veterans Health Administration Hospital.
- Detained in jail awaiting Grand Jury action or confined in prison after conviction for an offense other than a felony.
When is it due for the Nov. 7, 2023 General Election?
- Oct. 23, 2023 is the last day for Board of Elections to RECEIVE application or letter of application by mail or online portal for general ballot. Sec-8-400(2)(c).
- Nov. 6, 2023 is the last day for an applicant or agent to apply in person at the Board of Elections for the General Election absentee ballot. Sec.8-400(2)(c)
- Nov. 7, 2023 is the last day to postmark the General Election absentee ballot by mail. The ballot must be received by the Board of Elections no later than Nov. 14, 2023. Sec.8-412(1)
- Nov. 7, 2023 is the last day to deliver the General Election absentee ballot in person to the Board of Elections or at any poll site throughout the county, by the close of the polls on election day. Sec.8-412(1)
Military/Special Federal/UOCAVA Absentee Voters Deadlines:
- Oct. 28, 2023 is the last day for Board of Elections to RECEIVE application for Military/Special Federal/UOCAVA absentee ballot for generalif not previously registered. §10-106(5) & §11-202(1)(a)
- Oct. 31, 2023 is the last for Board of Elections to RECEIVE application for Military/Special Federal/UOCAVA absentee ballot for general if already registered. §10-106(5) & §11-202(1)(a)
- Nov. 6, 2023 is the last day to apply personally for Military ballot for general if previously registered. §10-106(5)
- Nov. 7, 2023 is the last day to postmark Military/Special Federal/UOCAVA ballot for general. The ballot must be received by board of elections no later than Nov. 20, 2023. §10-114(1) & §11-212
How to apply for an Absentee Ballot
You may apply for an absentee ballot in any of the following ways:
- Electronically through the New York State Absentee Ballot Application Portal
- By sending an email request to
- By sending a fax request to (914) 995-7753 or (914) 995-3190
- By going in-person to the Westchester County Board of Elections, 25 Quarropas St., White Plains, NY 10601
- By mailing a paper application to the Westchester County Board of Elections, 25 Quarropas St., White Plains, NY 10601
You can download a pdf version of the New York State Absentee Ballot Application Form:
Absentee Ballot application deadlines:
Oct. 23, 2023 is the last day for Board of Elections to RECEIVE application or letter of application by mail or online portal for the General Election ballot. Sec-8-400(2)(c).
By sending a letter to the Westchester County Board of Elections: 25 Quarropas St., White Plains, NY 10601, the letter must contain the following information:
- Name and date of birth of the voter
- The address where you are registered
- An address where the ballot is to be sent
- The reason for the request, and
- The signature of the voter
If you apply by letter: An application form will be mailed with your ballot. The application form must be completed and returned with 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 it up for you. Only that person designated on your application may pick up and deliver your ballot. Please note: The maximum amount any person can pick up is five (5) ballots including their own.
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 the Westchester County Board of Elections indicating permanent illness or physical disability. You will then automatically receive an absentee ballot for every election until your registration is cancelled.
Accessible Absentee Voting
Voters with a visual impairment that require a ballot with accessible features may apply using the online Accessible Absentee Ballot Application portal.
Voters using the accessible absentee ballot system in need of printing services in order to print their ballot can access such services at certain public printing resources, including but not limited to, libraries, print stores, shipping stores, and office supply stores. Voters should contact their local printing resources for details on the printing services offered.
In-person voting using an accessible Ballot Marking Device (“BMD”) during early voting or on Election Day is still available to voters with a disability who do not want to vote by absentee ballot using the accessible absentee ballot system.
Download the Accessible Absentee Ballot Application
Download the Spanish Accessible Absentee Ballot Application
Important: How to cast an Absentee Ballot
Please carefully review and follow the instructions below. Each step is important and required.
- Once you have received the ballot, mark the ballot according to your choices for each office following the instructions on the ballot.
- Once you have completed marking your ballot, fold it up and place it in the Security Ballot Envelope. This envelope will have a place for your signature.
- Sign and date the outside of the Security Ballot Envelope.
- Seal the Security Ballot Envelope.
- Place the Security Ballot Envelope in the Return Ballot Envelope. (This envelope will have the return address of the Westchester County Board of Elections on the outside and should have a logo that reads, “Official Election Mail”)
- Seal the Return Ballot Envelope.
You may return the ballot in any of the following ways:
- Put it in the mail ensuring it receives a postmark no later than Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023.
- Bringing it to the Westchester County Board of Elections’ Office no later than Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023 by 9 p.m.
- Bringing it to any General Election day poll site within Westchester County on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023 by 9 p.m.
Mail time considerations when returning an Absentee Ballot
When mailing your completed ballot, the USPS recommends that voters allow enough time for ballots to be returned to the Board, which is generally fifteen (15) days ahead of the General Election. New York State requires your ballot to be both postmarked by Nov. 7, 2023 and received by our Board Nov. 14, 2023. Voters who mail in their ballots on Election Day must be aware of the posted collection times on collection boxes and at the Postal Service’s retail facilities, and that ballots entered after the last posted collection time will not be postmarked until the following business day.
Absentee Cures
There are certain errors or problems that can occur when a voter completes an absentee ballot envelope. Many of these errors or problems are curable by means of filing a cure statement with your board of elections. If your ballot envelope has a curable defect, you will receive a notice from the board of elections. Learn more about the cures process.