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Voting for our upcoming election has just been made easier



New York State offers early voting and absentee ballots

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The general election will be held on Tuesday, November 3, but if you're trying to avoid lines and crowds at the polls for health reasons, consider voting early or ordering an absentee ballot. The Democracy Works “How to Vote” website offers the following voting information, which is accurate as of August 2020. However, changes may be made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Check the website closer to the General Election on November 3 for the most up-to-date details.

Early voting is available from Saturday, October 24, through Sunday, November 1, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live. Consult your county's Board of Elections website for locations and hours, which generally include a mix of day, evening, and weekend hours. You can vote at any of the Early Voting locations around the county, but if you wait to vote in person on Election Day, you must go to your designated polling site, which you can find through your county's Board of Elections website.

What to bring

If you've voted in New York before, you don't need to provide ID to vote.

If you're a first-time voter who registered by mail, and didn't provide a copy of your ID with your registration, you may need to show ID to vote. Acceptable forms include: a current and valid photo ID; or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows your name and address.

Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you will be able to vote an affidavit ballot.

Absentee ballot

Your county's Board of Elections website has absentee ballot applications available for download. Read the application and confirm that you meet the eligibility requirements for voting absentee. Fill out the application completely and send it to your local election office. You should request your ballot as far in advance of the election as possible. The Board of Elections must receive your ballot application by Tuesday, October 27. When your ballot arrives, read it carefully and follow the instructions to complete it and return it.

Voter Registration

You can't vote unless you've registered in advance of the November 3 election. The deadline for registration is Friday, October 9. You may register online, by mail, or in person. You can look up your voter registration record and verify that your information is correct using New York's voter registration lookup tool at https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov.


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