2020 Elections

Get more information about election dates and deadlines.

Voting Eligibility

To be eligible to vote in a specific election, you may need to meet certain deadlines for registering or changing your address or party affiliation. For more information and to check your registration status, visit the Voter Registration page.

Candidates

When the complete Contest List for an election has been approved, you can view a sample ballot for your Election District using the Poll Site Locator. The sample ballot lists the names and party affiliations of all candidates and any proposals being voted on the the district.

Poll sites provide voters with ballots and scanners to record their votes.

Using the Poll Site Locator, you can confirm your:  

• Election Day poll site
• Early Voting poll site
• Election Districts, including City Council, Congressional, and Assembly

You can also view a sample ballot if there is an election event in your Election District. The sample ballot lists the names and party affiliations of all candidates and any proposals being voted on in your district.

The sample ballot is for reference and isn't valid for casting a vote. A paper ballot will be provided at Early Voting and Election Day sites, which may be different than the sample ballot because of court orders.

Voting Process

Step 1: Go to the poll site for your registered home address. If you’re a first-time registered voter who didn’t provide your identification when you registered, you need to show an acceptable form of ID.

Step 2: A poll worker will look up your name on the list of registered voters.

Step 3: After you sign your name in the poll book, you'll be given a paper ballot and directed to a privacy booth.

Step 4: Mark the ballot with your choices using the pen provided.

Step 5: Take your ballot to the scanner area and insert your marked ballot in the scanner to cast your vote.

Step 6: The scanner will record your vote. When the polls close, the scanners will be used to count all votes cast on Election Day.

Learn more about voting on Election Day.

Identification Requirements

Only first-time registrants who did not provide identification when they registered to vote need to show identification at the poll site.

Acceptable forms of ID include the following:

• Valid Photo ID
• Recent copy of utility bill
• Recent copy of bank statement
• Recent copy of paycheck
• Recent copy of government check or document

Voters with Disabilities

If you have a disability or difficulty seeing or marking the paper ballot, poll workers can help you.

Each poll site provides magnifiers at voting booths if you have difficulty seeing.

A ballot marking device (BMD) is also available if you have a disability. This device enables voters with disabilities to vote without assistance and in privacy.

You will be able to access and mark a ballot using a:

• Audio headset
• Touch screen
• Keypad
• Sip and puff device
• Rocker paddle

At least one BMD will be available in every poll site during the regular voting hours of 6 AM to 9 PM. At each poll site, every voter who is in line by 9 PM can cast his or her ballot.

Interpretation Services

As required by the Voting Rights Act, the Board of Elections provides interpretation services at certain poll sites in:

• Bengali
• Cantonese
• Korean
• Mandarin
• Spanish

Transportation

The City doesn’t provide transportation to poll sites.

Voting by Affidavit

If you believe you are registered to vote and your name does not appear in the poll book on Election Day, you are entitled to receive an affidavit ballot.

You can complete and submit the ballot at your poll site. The NYC Board of Election will notify you by mail whether or not your ballot was counted.

In New York State, you can vote before Election Day at an early voting poll site. The ballot is the same, no matter when you choose to vote.

All voters are assigned an early voting poll site. The location may be different than your Election Day poll site.

You can find your early voting site using the Poll Site Locator.

Learn more about early voting.

You can vote by absentee ballot if you can’t vote on Election Day or at an early voting poll site because of one of the following reasons:

• Business
• Studies
• Travel
• Imprisonment (not including convicted felons)
• Illness
• Disability
• Hospitalization
• Residency in a long-term care facility

Learn more about absentee voting.

Absentee Ballot Application

You must complete and submit an Absentee Ballot Application to receive an absentee ballot. You can’t apply on Election Day.

The application must include:

• Your name 
• The home address listed on your voter registration 
• Your mailing address (if different) 
• Your reason for voting absentee 
• Your signature

Online

Download an absentee ballot application.

In Person

Pick up an application at a Board of Elections office.

By Phone

You can have a postage-paid application mailed to you.

Voting Rights

Voters in New York City have certain rights.

Learn about your rights as a voter.

Events

You can attend voter awareness events in your community.

Learn about upcoming events.

Alerts

You can sign up to receive email updates with information about upcoming elections from the New York City Campaign Finance Board.

After you provide your email address, you will receive a confirmation email that contains a link you will need to click in order to confirm and complete the subscription process.

Alerts are only sent by email. You will not get alerts on your phone, even if you provide your cell phone number.

All voters must meet age, citizenship, and residency requirements. You must also be registered to vote.

If you have a criminal record, there may be more requirements for you to be able to vote.

There are no additional requirements if you:

• Are in jail for a misdemeanor charge
• Have been convicted of a misdemeanor
• Are on probation
• Have completed your maximum prison sentence
• Have been discharged from parole on any charge

If you are on parole, you must get a Certificate of Relief or a Certificate of Conduct to restore your voting rights. You must also register again. To learn about getting Certificate of Relief or a Certificate of Conduct, visit the Certificate of Conduct page.

If you are in prison or jail for a felony, you cannot vote.

If you are awaiting arraignment, trial, or sentencing at the New York City Department of Correction, you are eligible to vote.

Online

Learn about voting rights for people with a criminal record or inmates of Department of Correction.

By Phone

Unless otherwise noted, Borough of Elections offices are open Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM, except on Election Day when their hours are 6 AM to 9 PM.

Bronx BOE Borough Office
1780 Grand Concourse, 5th Floor
Bronx, NY, 10457

Brooklyn BOE Borough Office
345 Adams Street, 4th Floor
Brooklyn, NY, 11201

Manhattan BOE Office
200 Varick Street, 10th Floor
New York, NY, 10014

Queens BOE Office
118-35 Queens Boulevard
Forest Hills, NY, 11375

Staten Island BOE Office
1 Edgewater Plaza, 4th Floor
Staten Island, NY, 10305

You can get more help with voting, upcoming elections, and the voting process by phone.