How-to-vote guide from State Sen. Biaggi

Editor’s note: This guide was provided by State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi.

As we continue to adapt to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, my colleagues and I passed several laws to safeguard every New York voter’s access to the ballot box this November – including my legislation to expand eligibility to vote by absentee ballot amid the public health crisis. This year, New York voters have three options to safely and easily cast their ballots: by mail (absentee), during early voting, or in person on Election Day. However you choose to vote, I urge you to plan ahead now so your voice is heard in the upcoming election.

Voting by Mail (Absentee Ballot)

The first voting option is by mail, also known as voting by absentee ballot. This summer my legislation S8015D was signed into law to allow all New York voters to vote absentee this November due to the ongoing pandemic. You can request an absentee ballot online by filling out the application form at absenteeballot.elections.ny.gov, or by mailing, emailing, or faxing a copy of the form, which can be downloaded in multiple languages at www.elections.ny.gov, to your County Board of Elections. If you are voting absentee due to concerns about COVID, you must select “temporary illness” as your reason for requesting an absentee ballot on the application form.

If you plan to vote absentee, I encourage you to request your ballot as soon as possible, to ensure you have time to receive it and return it.

  • Your application must be submitted online, via email, faxed, or postmarked no later than October 27th, or delivered personally to your County Board of Elections no later than the day before Election Day, November 2nd.
  • Your ballot must be postmarked no later than Election Day, November 3rd, and received in the mail no later than seven days later, November 10th.

Voters can also drop off their completed absentee ballot at their: (1) County Board of Elections office by November 3rd, (2) early voting site from October 24th to November 1st, or (3) polling site on Election Day.

You can find more information about requesting a ballot and vote by mail deadlines at www.elections.ny.gov/votingabsentee.html.

Voting Early

The second voting option is voting early in-person between October 24th and November 1st. Westchester voters can vote early at ANY of these locations during operating hours. You must wear a mask or face covering and maintain six feet of distance from others when at your early voting site.

Voting on Election Day

The third voting option is to cast your ballot in-person on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3rd. Westchester voters can find their Election Day polling site here. Polls are open from 6AM to 9PM. You must wear a mask or face covering and maintain six feet of distance from others when at your polling site.

Register to Vote

Lastly, if you haven’t already registered to vote or updated your voting address, you can do so by filling out a voter registration form located at www.elections.ny.gov, in either English or Spanish, and mailing it or delivering it to your County Board of Elections. You can also request a voter registration form be mailed to you at www.elections.ny.gov or by calling 1-800-FOR-VOTE. Your voter registration form must be postmarked no later than October 9th and received by the Board of Elections no later than October 14th for you to be eligible to vote in the November election. The deadline to drop off your registration form in-person is October 9th.

If you have a New York State-issued ID from the DMV, you can register to vote or change your address online at dmv.ny.gov until October 9th.

If you have any questions regarding voting this fall, you can always reach out to your local Board of Elections or contact my office at [email protected] or 718-822-2049.

Remember –– your vote, your voice!

 With Gratitude,

State Senator Alessandra Biaggi