Voters in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens will head to the polls to cast their ballots in the June primary election.

The primary election is scheduled for Tuesday, June 25, but early voting begins Saturday, June 15.

Here's what you need to know before you vote.

What to watch for

All 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are up for reelection in November, including the 26 across New York state.

In New York City, there are a total of three congressional primaries and a number of primaries for state Senate and Assembly. There are also a few judicial races to become a Democratic district leader or a delegate to the party’s judicial convention.

Aside from a Republican primary for state Assembly in Queens, all of the other primaries are Democratic races. There are no primaries for voters on Staten Island.

There is one Democratic congressional primary that is expected to be close.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer, who is a longtime local elected Democrat, is challenging Rep. Jamaal Bowman for the Democratic seat in the 16th Congressional District. 

The district consists of a small portion of the northern Bronx and the southern half of Westchester County, including White Plains, Mount Vernon, Yonkers, New Rochelle and Rye.

The former state senator became the county executive in 2017 after defeating Republican incumbent Rob Astorino. In early December, he announced he would challenge Bowman for the seat. 

Bowman was first elected to the seat in 2020, defeating 31-year incumbent Rep. Eliot Engel.

The two candidates debated on NY1 live.

To catch up on what’s been going on throughout the campaign trial for the primary, follow along Spectrum News’ congressional live blog for the latest. 

Early voting times for the election

  • Saturday, June 15 — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Sunday, June 16 — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Monday, June 17 — 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Tuesday, June 18 — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Wednesday, June 19 — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Thursday, June 20 — 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Friday, June 21 — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Saturday, June 22 — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Sunday, June 23 — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

An important note: Your polling place for early voting may be different from your polling place for the primary election.

Voting by mail

All registered voters in New York state are now eligible to apply for an early mail ballot. The New York Early Mail Voter Act requires registered voters to obtain early mail voting ballotsthrough an application to the board of elections.

There are several ways to apply for an early voting ballot: Use the online Ballot Request Application portal, go in person to your local county board of elections, or allow another person to deliver the application in person to your local county board of elections. Voters with a print disability should apply by using the online Accessible Ballot Application.

Certain New Yorkers are eligible to apply for an absentee ballot. The form to apply is different, but the places to apply are the same as listed above for early mail ballots, and the ballot can be returned using the same methods as early mail voters.

A New York City resident is eligible for an absentee ballot if they are:

  • Absent from New York City on Election Day
  • Unable to go to the polls due to illness or disability, or because they are the primary caregiver of someone who is ill or physically disabled
  • A resident or patient at a VA hospital
  • In jail or prison for any reason, unless they were convicted of a felony

Early mail or absentee ballots can be returned by mail; by dropping them off at early voting poll sites any day those sites are open; by dropping them off at your county Board of Elections office; or by dropping them off at an Election Day poll site on Election Day.

Voters are not able to cast a ballot with a voting machine if they were issued an early mail or absentee ballot. Anyone who requested an early mail or absentee ballot but wants to vote in person will have to fill out an affidavit ballot.

Dates you need to know

  • Last day to register to vote in person: June 24
  • Last day for the BOE to receive an application or letter of application by mail, online portal, email or fax: June 15
  • Last day to apply at the BOE in person for an early mail or absentee ballot: June 24
  • Last day to postmark ballot return envelope: June 25
  • Last day to deliver ballot in person at your county BOE office: June 25 
  • Last day for the BOE to receive ballot by mail: July 2
  • Last day for the BOE to receive military ballot by mail: July 2

Looking ahead to the general election

The general election in November will consist of the winners of the June primary. It will also include the presidential election, which is a rematch between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.

Early voting for the general election is Saturday, Oct. 26 though Sunday, Nov. 3. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5.