Editor’s note: This press release was provided by County Legislator Terry Clements.

Registered voters in New York interested in voting by absentee ballot this fall must submit an application for a general election absentee ballot. Anyone concerned about the risk of contracting or spreading a communicable disease like COVID-19 may vote by absentee ballot.

Absentee ballots will not be sent to registered voters automatically.  And applications submitted to the Board of Elections earlier this year during the primary cycle, do not constitute applications for general election absentee ballots.

You must submit a separate application now to get a general election absentee ballot.

You may apply for an absentee ballot in any of the following ways:

• By applying online through the New York State Absentee Ballot Application Portal at https://absenteeballot.elections.ny.gov/
• By sending an email request to BOE-WestAbsentee@westchestergov.com
• 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 Street, White Plains, NY 10601
• By mailing a paper application to the Westchester County Board of Elections, 25 Quarropas Street, White Plains, NY 10601
• By phoning the Westchester County Board of Elections at (914) 995-5285

PDF absentee ballot application forms can be downloaded from these links:

• English Form
• Spanish Form
• Military/Federal/UOCAVA Form

The deadlines to apply for an absentee ballot for the general election are as follows:

• You must apply online, postmark, email or fax a completed application or letter request for the general election absentee ballot no later than October 27, 2020.
• You may apply in-person up to November 2, 2020 – the date before Election Day.

You may vote by absentee ballot:

• If you are away from the County on Election Day
• If you are unable to appear at the polls due to temporary or permanent illness or disability (temporary illness includes being unable to appear due to risk of contracting or spreading a communicable disease like COVID-19).
• If you are unable to appear because you are the primary care giver of one or more individuals who are ill or physically disabled.
• If you are a resident or patient of a Veterans Health Administration Hospital.
• If you are detained in jail awaiting Grand Jury action or confined in prison after conviction for an offense other than a felony.

For more information visit:  https://citizenparticipation.westchestergov.com/voting/absentee-ballots