Vote early (in person)
Best if you can get to a polling site any of Oct 24 – Nov 1. Faster, fewer steps, you handle the whole thing in one visit.
Find a siteVote early. Skip the lines.
Nine days. Eight sites across Orange County. No excuse, no assigned location, and your vote is counted the same night as Election Day. Early voting for the November 3 general runs Oct 24 – Nov 1.
Why vote early? Mostly: it's easier.
Early voting works exactly like Election Day — same ballot, same scanner, same official record. Your vote is counted on election night, not weeks later. The difference is logistics: you pick any of nine days and any of eight sites, which means you can fit voting around work, weather, kids, or whatever else Tuesday throws at you.
- Pick the day that works (Oct 24 – Nov 1)
- Go to any Orange County early voting site — not your Election Day polling place
- Lines are usually shorter than the Election Day rush
- Counted on election night, same as Election Day
When you can vote early Nine days, Oct 24 – Nov 1.
New York gives you nine days of early voting before every primary and general election. For the 2026 general, that’s Saturday October 24 through Sunday November 1. All eight Orange County sites share the same hours each day — the county publishes the daily windows in October, and we’ll post them on the locations page as soon as they’re set.
- Runs Sat Oct 24 through Sun Nov 1 (9 days)
- Same hours at every Orange County site each day
- Daily hours are set by the county in October — check the locations page
- Counted on election night, same as Election Day
Daily hours post in October — same at every Orange County site.
Where to go Any of eight sites.
Unlike Election Day, you’re not assigned a specific early voting location. Orange County runs eight sites — pick whichever one is easiest. Closest to home, near work, on your way somewhere, whatever. Bring your address; you’ll get the same ballot you’d get at your Election Day polling place.
What to bring Less than you'd think.
Most New York voters don’t have to show ID — your name and address are already on the rolls. But bring something with your address on it anyway; it speeds you through check-in even when it’s not required. First-time voters who registered by mail without verifying ID do need to bring one of the items below the first time they vote.
- Driver's license or state ID (any state)
- Current utility bill, bank statement, or paycheck with your name and address
- Passport
- Government-issued photo ID
Plan on about 10 minutes inside. Less if it's quiet, more after work.
What it's like inside Same as Election Day.
The procedure is identical to Election Day. A poll worker looks you up by address, you sign the book, and you get a paper ballot. Fill it out in a privacy booth — pen, ovals, take your time. Feed it into the Imagecast scanner on your way out; the machine prints a confirmation and stores your ballot for canvassing on election night. Then a sticker. Whole thing usually takes 5–15 minutes.
One rule to know Vote once.
Once you cast an early voting ballot, you can’t vote on Election Day or by absentee for the same election. The poll book gets updated overnight, and if you try to show up November 3, you’ll be turned away. That’s the only real “gotcha” — and it’s exactly how it’s supposed to work.
Early voters who change their mind on a race can't "redo" their ballot. Take your time at the scanner.
Should you vote early — or absentee? Depends on your week.
Both are equally legitimate. Pick the one that fits your situation.
Vote absentee (by mail)
Best if you're out of town, sick, caring for someone, or otherwise can't get to a site. Apply early — the request deadline for the November general is **Oct 24**.
Request a ballotGo vote early. Pick a day.
Nine days. Eight sites. Any one counts. The earlier you go, the more buffer you have if something comes up. Look up the hours at the closest site and drop in when it fits.