Online (easiest)
Through the DMV's MyDMV portal if you have a NY driver's license or state ID.
Register onlineNew to voting? You're in the right place.
Six things you’ll know by the end of this page: whether you’re registered, what’s on your ballot, your three ways to vote, where to go, what to bring, and exactly what happens at the polls.
- Am I eligible?
- Am I registered?
- How do I register?
- What's on my ballot?
- Where and when do I vote?
- What happens at the polls?
Am I eligible to vote?
Voting in New York is open to anyone who meets four basic requirements. If you check every box below, you’re eligible — and the next step is making sure you’re registered.
- You'll be 18 or older by Election Day
- You're a U.S. citizen
- You live in New York State (and have for at least 30 days before Election Day)
- You're not currently incarcerated for a felony conviction
Am I already registered? Probably.
Most people who’ve had a New York driver’s license or state ID in the last few years are already registered automatically. It takes 30 seconds to check — and skipping this step is the most common reason people get turned away at the polls.
Takes 30 seconds
How to register
You have three ways to register in New York. All of them are free, and the deadline is 10 days before any election.
By mail
Download the registration form, fill it out, and mail it to your county Board of Elections.
Get the formIn person
Drop off a paper form at the Orange County Board of Elections, the DMV, or many public agencies.
Go deeperDeadline: 10 days before Election Day
Pick your party (primary elections only)
New York runs closed primaries, which means you can only vote in the primary of the party you’re registered with. If you’re registered as “no party” or with a third party, you can still vote in the general election in November — but you’ll sit out the primaries.You can change your party affiliation, but the deadline is earlier than the registration deadline: typically several months before the next primary.
Party change deadline: ~Feb of the primary year
What's on your ballot
A New York ballot is organized roughly top-to-bottom by scale:1. Federal — president (every 4 years), U.S. Senate, U.S. House2. State — governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, comptroller, state senate, state assembly3. Local — county executive, mayor, city council, school board4. Judges — state supreme court, county court, surrogate’s court5. Propositions — ballot questions, bond measures, charter amendmentsNot every race is on every ballot — most elections only have a handful of contests. Look up your sample ballot before going to vote so you know what you’ll see.
When can I vote? Three ways.
In New York, you have three ways to cast your ballot. Pick the one that fits your schedule.
Election Day
Show up at your assigned polling place on the official Election Day. Polls open 6 AM to 9 PM in New York.
Find polling placeEarly voting
Vote in person any day during the 9-day early voting period. You can go to any early voting site in your county — no assigned location.
Early voting guideAbsentee / mail-in
Request a ballot to vote by mail. Since 2023, no excuse is required — anyone can request one. Apply at least 15 days before the election.
Request absenteeWhat to bring
In New York, most voters don’t need to show ID at the polls — your name and address are already on the rolls. But there’s one exception: first-time voters who registered by mail without verifying their identity need to bring ID the first time they vote.If that’s you (or you’re not sure), bring one of these to be safe:
- 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
What happens at the polls
The whole thing usually takes 5–15 minutes. Here’s exactly what to expect:1. Check in. A poll worker looks you up by name and address. You sign the poll book.2. Get your ballot. They hand you a paper ballot (or two) and point you toward a privacy booth.3. Vote. Fill in the ovals with a pen. Take your time. You can ask a poll worker for help if anything’s confusing.4. Scan. Feed your ballot into the scanner. It prints a record and stores your ballot. You’re done.You’ll get an “I voted” sticker on the way out. Wear it proudly.
If something goes wrong, ask for a poll worker.
After you vote
Most New York races are called the night of the election, but close races can take days as absentee and affidavit ballots are counted. Official certified results come weeks later.Want to stay engaged? Sign up for our newsletter below — we’ll email you before every deadline so you don’t have to remember this stuff yourself.
You did it. Now go vote.
Here’s your final checklist — by Election Day, you should have done all five of these:
- Confirmed you're eligible
- Checked your registration (or registered if needed)
- Looked up your sample ballot
- Picked your voting method (Election Day, early, or absentee)
- Saved or marked your polling place