It’s time for New Yorkers across the five boroughs to head to the polls once again. 

New Yorkers will cast their ballots this fall in the race for president between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Every New York state seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, state Assembly and state Senate is also up for grabs, as is the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Kirsten Gillibrand, who is running for reelection. 

Aside from voting on candidates, New Yorkers will have six ballot proposals to vote either “yes” or “no” for.  The first proposal is to add an Equal Rights Amendment to the state Constitution; the second proposal is in regards to the Department of Sanitation’s power to clean public property; the third proposal is to require additional fiscal analysis before City Council hearings and votes on laws; the fourth proposal is for more notice and time before votes on laws regarding the public safety operations of the FDNY, NYPD and Department of Correction; the fifth proposal would require more detail in the annual assessment of city facilities; and the sixth proposal would establish the position of chief business diversity officer to support minority- and women-owned businesses.

Early voting times for the election

  • Saturday, Oct. 26 — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Sunday, Oct. 27 — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Monday, Oct. 28 — 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Oct. 29 — 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 30 — 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Thursday, Oct. 31 — 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Friday, Nov. 1 — 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Saturday, Nov. 2 — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Sunday, Nov. 3 — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

An important note: Your polling place for early voting may be different from your polling place on Election Day.

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, which was signed into law last year, requires registered voters to obtain early mail voting ballots through 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 in their respective county 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: Oct. 26
  • Last day for the BOE to receive an application or letter of application by mail, online portal, email or fax: Oct. 26
  • Last day to apply at the BOE in person for an early mail or absentee ballot: Nov. 4
  • Last day to postmark ballot return envelope: Nov. 5
  • Last day to deliver a ballot in person at your county BOE office: Nov. 5 by 9 p.m.
  • Last day for the BOE to receive military ballot by mail: Nov. 18 (must be postmarked by Nov. 5)