Step 2: Plan Your Vote

There are three ways that you can vote in this election. You can:

• Vote by mail. This is also known as voting via absentee ballot, and due to COVID-19, everyone in New York is eligible to vote by mail if they choose this year.
• Vote in-person, from Oct. 23rd – Oct. 31st.
• Vote in-person, on Election Day, Nov. 2nd between 6AM-9PM.

If you want to vote by mail, you must:

• Request an absentee ballot ASAP. The official deadline to request a ballot by mail or online is Oct. 18th.
• Return your absentee ballot ASAP. Officially, the last day to postmark your ballot is Nov. 2nd.
• You can also hand deliver your ballot to your County Board of Elections or your early voting site.

If you want to vote early and in-person, you must:

• Find your early voting site! For many people, this will be different from the site you would go to if you vote on Election Day.
• Find out the day and time that work best for you. There are nine days of early voting. Each of the nine days will have slightly different voting hours, to accommodate people who need to vote early in the morning, late at night, etc. Plan ahead!
• Be safe. The coronavirus pandemic is still a threat to New Yorkers. Wear a mask and bring hand sanitizer to help protect yourself and others.

If you want to vote on Election Day in-person, you must:

• Find your voting site! Your polling place is usually a public school, library, or community center near your home.
• Be safe. The coronavirus pandemic is still a threat to New Yorkers. Wear a mask and bring hand sanitizer to help protect yourself and others.

Concerned about accessibility? Click here to learn about how New York is addressing voter access needs.