Who Can Request An Absentee Ballot In This Years Local Elections
Because of the pandemic, anyone can request an absentee ballot this year.
In March 2020, state lawmakers passed a law that said a voters concern over spreading or getting COVID-19 counts as a temporary illness when asking for an absentee ballot.
That means that anyone can still claim temporary illness as a reason to request an absentee ballot, regardless of the availability of vaccines or any other factors that may have changed since last year.
Absentee ballots were previously only available for people who were unable to vote in person because they were out of town, had an illness or disability, were in jail or were in the military.
The expanded eligibility will last at least through the end of 2021.
Allie Swatek, director of policy and research for the NYC Campaign Finance Board, said: All voters may request an absentee ballot, using COVID-19 as an excuse, for the June primary and even the November general election. This means that no voter will need to put their health at risk to make their voice heard in our city elections.
Our guide is here to make your decisions easier, with details on candidates, the jobs theyre running for, how to use the new ranked-choice voting system and more.
New York Absentee Ballot Deadlines
Request deadlines
- In Person:Received 1 day before Election Day.
- Postmarked 7 days before Election Day.
- Online:Received 7 days before Election Day.
Ballot deadlines
- Voted ballots are due:Postmarked on Election Day and received 7 days after Election Day. Voted ballots can also be turned in by hand on election day.
But You Dont Have To Mail It Heres How To Drop It Off
You can drop off your absentee ballot at any city Board of Elections office, any early voting poll site or any election day poll site up until when the polls close on June 22. You can find your polling place here.
Early voting runs from June 12 to 20. You can find your early voting sites here.
Again, heres where the Board of Election offices are:
Note: You can also drop off absentee ballots for other people, as long as theyre properly signed and sealed.
What if I decide I want to vote in person but I already requested an absentee ballot?
Thats OK! You can still vote early or on in person June 22 even if you requested an absentee ballot. You can find your polling place here.
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New York Expands Access To Absentee Ballots Enacts Other Election Reforms
ALBANY, N.Y. New York is making it easier for voters to request absentee ballots and allowing mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day to be considered timely.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a host of voting-related bills into law Friday that supporters say will expand and ease the use of absentee ballots in the Empire State by eliminating signed applications and allowing voters to request ballots via email.
The changes build on reforms enacted as the state saw a massive increase in the use of absentee ballots during the COVID-19 crisis.
This sweeping, comprehensive package of legislation will make it easier for voters, candidates and boards of elections to perform their critical functions and keep our democracy running, Cuomo said in a statement. Elections have enormous consequences for New Yorkers across the state, and these reforms will bolster their ability to use their voices at the ballot box.
The centerpiece of the package brings the last day a ballot can be postmarked into line with the deadline for hand-delivered ballots and allows absentee ballots to be requested by letter rather than a signed absentee ballot application.
It also provides that federal write-in absentee ballots, military ballots, special presidential ballots and special federal ballots received after Election Day must contain a postmark, cancellation mark or witness dated Election Day or earlier.
When Do I Need To Request An Absentee Ballot By
Your ballot request must be completed by Oct. 27 if you’re submitting it via mail, email, online, phone or in person, according to the state Board of elections.
You can apply for an absentee ballot in person at your local board of elections up until Nov. 2, the day before the election.
But! Be aware. The U.S. Postal Service has warned states, including New York, that it can’t guarantee your absentee ballot will get to you on time unless the application comes in at least 15 days before election.
So if you want to ensure your ballot gets to you on time, send in your application prior to Oct. 19.
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Complete An Absentee Ballot In New York Here’s Where You Can Drop It Off
ALBANY New York has expanded residents’ ability to cast their votes by absentee ballots. Now they have more places to drop off the completed ballots.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo this month issued an executive order that requires local election boards to allow voters to drop off completed absentee ballots at a board office, an early voting location or an Election Day voting location.
Voters will be able to drop off the completed ballots without having to wait in line with in-person voters, a move aimed at minimizing crowds on Election Day, Nov. 3, and promoting contactless voting amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We want fair voting, we want easy voting, and we want accurate voting,” Cuomo said Sept. 8. “Because of COVID this year, you can vote by absentee or you can vote early. Vote in-person on election day if you choose. You can get your ballot online you can do that now.”
New York is allowing anyone in the state to request an absentee ballot this year because of the pandemic. A voter can request a ballot, then either complete it and mail it in or drop it off at the voting locations during the early voting period or at a local election board office.
The state’s early voting runs from October 24 through Nov. 1.
Local election boards have to submit plans to the state Board of Elections by Sept. 21 on how they will designate locations to accept absentee ballots, Cuomo said.
To learn more about getting an absentee ballot, visit ny.gov/earlyvote.
Absentee Ballot Contactless Drop
In an effort to minimize delays during in-person voting and to promote contactless voting, Dutchess County has developed this plan for absentee ballot drop-off for the 2021 General Election.
Dutchess County voters may drop off a completed absentee ballot at the following locations without waiting in line with in-person voters. Look for the Skip the Line Absentee Ballot Drop Off once you enter the drop-off location, you will be assisted by our dedicated election inspectors to the absentee ballot receptacle where you may deposit your ballot. Please wear a mask and adhere to social distancing guidelines while at these locations.
Dutchess County Board of Elections, 112 Delafield Street, Poughkeepsie, NY
Monday Friday 9 AM 5 PM
Early Voting Sites: October 23rd through October 31st, 2021
Rhinebeck Town Hall, 80 Market Street, Rhinebeck, NYFishkill Town Hall, 807 Route 52, Fishkill, NYBoardman Road Library, 141 Boardman Rd, Poughkeepsie, NYCornell Cooperative Center, 2715 US-44, Millbrook, NYMid Hudson Library Auditorium, 105 Market Street, Poughkeepsie, NY
Hours of Early Voting: October23rd through October 31st, 2021
Saturday, October 23rd 10 AM to 3 PMSunday, October 24th 9 AM to 2 PMMonday, October 25th 9 AM to 5 PMTuesday, October 26th 12 noon to 8 PMWednesday, Oct. 27th 9 AM to 5 PMThursday, October 28th 12 noon to 8 PMFriday, October 29th 9 AM to 5 PMSaturday, October 30th 10 AM to 3 PMSunday, October 31st 9 AM to 2 PM
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% Chance Eric Adams Cancels Mayoral Inauguration Amid Nyc Covid Spike: Source
Im a little tired like everyone else, but its important. Nothing more important than voting this year, he told reporters after emerging.
For voters who would rather not cast their ballot in person, Tuesday was the last day to apply for an absentee ballot online, by email, by fax or mail. Meanwhile, Nov. 2 is the last day to apply in-person for absentee ballot.
New York is the largest of over two dozen states, including Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Ohio, where voters can request an absentee ballot as late as seven days before the election.
Reports of long waits at early voting sites have led to criticism that there are too few voting locations. There are 280 early polling sites statewide, including 88 in New York City.
In 35 counties, there is only one early voting site.
Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan said his countys already surpassed all early votes cast in 2019 and called on his county board of elections to expand hours and add additional polling locations.
With five more days of early voting remaining, we must bolster our efforts and do everything that we can to ensure all of our residents can vote safely and quickly, he said.
When To Submit Your Request
If sending your absentee ballot application or letter requesting an absentee ballot by mail, email, fax, or electronically, it must be received by the Board of Elections at least 15 days before the election. However, we suggest that you apply as early as possible.
If submitting your absentee ballot application or letter requesting an absentee ballot in person, your request must be submitted no later than the day before the election.
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Will Interpreters Be Available At Polling Sites
Anyone can bring their own interpreter to a polling site if needed, as long as the interpreter is not the voters employer or union representative.
The Board of Elections provides interpreters and materials in Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Bengali at select sites, and interpreters are available in a wider array of languages at some sites through the Civic Engagement Commission. Heres the full list of which interpreters are scheduled to be at different sites.
Qualifications To Vote By Absentee Ballot
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Military And Overseas Voters
Getting And Returning Your Ballot
Read the instructions on your ballot carefully before completing it. You can return your ballot by mail or in person.
Return by mail: Your ballot must be postmarked by Nov 3 and received by Nov 10
Return in person at an early voting poll site between Oct 24 and Nov 1
Return in person at any County Board of Elections Office during regular business hours between now and November 3
Return in person at a poll site on Nov 3 by 9:00 PM
When you open your absentee ballot mailer in New York state, youll find three things:
- The ballot
- A ballot or affirmation envelope
- A return envelope
Read the Instructions Carefully
Want to ensure your vote is counted? Avoid these missteps and follow the instructions below as you cast your absentee vote:
Dont skip the instructions
Read the short instructions found on the front of your ballot envelope, the one that will hold your ballot. The instructions are on the front of the ballot envelope.
Dont use red or other light-colored ink
Fill in the circles with blue or black pens. Don’t go outside the lines.
It is ok if a voter uses a combo of blue and black ink on a single ballot to fill in the circles next to candidates’ names,
Dont use any other colors. The scanner might not pick it up.
Dont make any extra marks on your ballot
These extra marks can be used later to challenge the validity of the ballot.
Dont sign your ballot
Your signature is needed, BUT NOT on the ballot itself.
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After You Receive Your Ballot
What Do I Need To Know When Filling Out My Absentee Ballot
You want to make sure you fill out your ballot correctly when you vote absentee. An error could get your ballot thrown out. This year, with the advent of ranked choice voting in New York City, be careful not to rank two candidates in the same column. Thats called overvoting, and it makes your ballot invalid.
With ranked choice voting, youll be choosing up to five candidates in order of your preference.
Heres the wrong and the right way to fill out your ballot:
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How To Get An Absentee Ballot In New York For 2020 Election
A record number of New York voters are expected to vote by mail rather than at polling sites in the November election because of safety concerns during the coronavirus pandemic.
Its the first time in the states history that all registered voters will have the option to vote by mail with an absentee ballot for a presidential election, regardless of whether they can make it to the polls Nov. 3 to vote in person.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a law Aug. 20 that allows voters to request absentee ballots simply because of the pandemic.
Heres what you need to know if you want to vote by mail and make sure your absentee ballot counts in November:
Who can apply?
Any registered voter in New York state can apply for an absentee ballot for the Nov. 3 election.
In the past, New York has required absentee voters to list a valid reason on their application for a ballot. Those reasons include being absent from your county on Election Day or unable to appear at a polling site due to temporary or permanent illness.
Under the new law, any voter can simply check the box for temporary illness on the application because of concerns about becoming infected with or spreading the coronavirus.
Each voter must apply for their own ballot. State election officials remind voters that its a felony to make a false statement in an application for an absentee ballot, to attempt to cast an illegal ballot, or to help anyone cast an illegal ballot.
How to get a ballot
How to fill out the application
Overseas And Military Absentee Voters
The Federal Post Card Application is for US citizens living overseas, active military members, and the spouses of active military members who wish to vote by absentee ballot. This application is valid for 4 years or 2 federal elections. If you move during that period, submit another application indicating your new address so we can be sure that you receive your ballot. You may email the application to , but we must also receive the original form in the mail.
Saratoga County Board of Elections
50 W. High Street
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Are The Voting Sites Accessible To All
The sites are supposed to be accessible to all voters, though a report earlier this year found many shortcomings in a survey of Manhattan locations. Voters who are visually impaired or have a disability that makes it difficult to use a pen can request ballot-marking devices that utilize audio, touch-screens, Braille and other modes.
How To Cast An Absentee Ballot
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Where And How To Vote In New York City
How to find your polling place and a quick rundown of whats on the ballot.
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By Karen Zraick
The polls in New York City are open today from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., and voters will be choosing candidates for mayor, public advocate, comptroller, borough president, City Council and in Manhattan and Brooklyn, district attorney. They will also be voting on five potential amendments to the State Constitution.
Here are answers to questions you may have about voting.
Qualifications To Vote By Absentee
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