Election Day is quickly approaching and we know how overwhelming the process can be in a normal election year, let alone in this apocalyptic year of 2020. We put together some fast facts, easy links (including Westchester County Board of Elections) and important deadlines to help make it as simple as possible for you to get out there and VOTE. Looking for ways to get move involved this year? There’s a critical need for poll workers due to a shortage in light of COVID-19. Historically, 55 percent of all New York poll workers are over the age of 60, making them especially vulnerable to the pandemic. Signing up to be a poll worker is a great way to contribute to our immediate community, and our nation as a whole.
VOTER REGISTRATION QUALIFICATIONS
You must:
- be a United States citizen;
- be 18 years old (you may pre-register at 16 or 17 but cannot vote until you are 18);
- be a resident of this state and the county, city or village for at least 30 days before the election;
- not be in prison or on parole for a felony conviction (unless parolee pardoned or restored rights of citizenship);
- not be adjudged mentally incompetent by a court;
- not claim the right to vote elsewhere.
IMPORTANT DEADLINES
- Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
- The deadline to register online to vote is Friday, October 9, 2020.
- The deadline for registering by mail to vote is (postmarked by) Friday, October 9, 2020.
- The deadline to register in person to vote is Friday, October 9, 2020.
- The deadline to request a ballot by mail is (received by) Tuesday, October 27, 2020.
- The early voting period runs from Saturday, October 24, 2020 to Sunday, November 1, 2020, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live.
VOTER REGISTRATION PROCESS
The first step you should take is finding out if you’re registered to vote. This will confirm if you’re registered and where you’re registered.
Find out if you’re registered to vote
If you are not already registered, you need to complete a voter registration form ASAP.
Complete a voter registration form – English
Complete a voter registration form – Spanish
*Registration forms may be completed online, however they must be printed, signed and mailed.
Alternatives to registering by mail:
- You can register in person at your county board of elections or at any New York State Agency-Based voter registration center.
- You may also submit your voter application form at the Department of Motor Vehicles, either in person or on their web site if you already have DMV-issued identification.
- You can request a New York State Voter Registration form by mail by entering your name directly into our mailing list database.
- You can call our 1-800-FOR-VOTE hotline to request a voter application.
ABSENTEE BALLOTS
Qualifications to Vote by Absentee Ballot:
- Absent from your county or, if a resident of New York City absent from the five boroughs, on Election Day.
- Unable to appear at the polls due to temporary or permanent illness or disability (temporary illness includes being unable to appear due to risk of contracting or spreading a communicable disease like COVID-19).
- Unable to appear because you are the primary care giver of one or more individuals who are ill or physically disabled.
- A resident or patient of a Veterans Health Administration Hospital.
- Detained in jail awaiting Grand Jury action or confined in prison after conviction for an offense other than a felony.
Online request form for Absentee Ballot
More helpful info regarding Absentee Ballots + Deadlines
HELPFUL LINKS + ADDITIONAL INFO