Key Dates
Early Voting: October 27, 2020–November 1, 2020
Election Day: November 3, 2020
Click HERE to find your polling place and view a sample ballot.
Some TIPS and REMINDERS about voting
- If voting in person, you MUST go to your polling place, not just somewhere not busy.
- There may be long lines, so dress appropriately (layers) and bring a umbrella if the weather looks iffy.
- All early voting sites have special access for seniors, people with disabilities, and folks who are pregnant or waiting with young children, but you'll likely have to ask a poll worker to help locate it.
- You do not need to wait to drop off an absentee ballot.
- Voting in person will be counted over an absentee ballot. Absentee votes, even those dropped off, will not be opened until after the election. Early, in-person votes are counted on election night.
- You are not supposed to bring animals to vote unless it is a service animal.
- If you have your registration card, bring it. It makes it much quicker to scan people and keeps the line moving.
- Bring an ID just in case; if you have moved, the system could flag you for ID verification.
- If you are on line when the polls close, you will be able to vote.
- Check https://vote.nyc/ for lots of great information, including absentee voting, registration confirmation, and FAQs.
- Remember—lines may be long, but it means that democracy is strong in Brooklyn!
Please give an extra big THANKS to the poll workers.
Absentee Voting
Due to the pandemic, ALL New York voters can request mail-in ballots for the general election! Take these simple steps to ensure your vote is counted from afar.
Make sure you’re registered to vote. Go to the NYS Voter Lookup and look at the field called “Voter Status.” If your record doesn’t say “Active,” you’ll need to re-register by the first week of October. You can register HERE.
Head HERE to submit your absentee application. When deciding where you want your ballot to be mailed, base it on where you’ll be living in mid-September through October. Unless there’s another reason that applies to you, select “Temporary illness or physical disability” as your reason for the request. This applies to everyone, even if you have not been affected by Covid. When you submit your application, record the confirmation number in case any issues arise later on.
If you’d rather not submit your application online, you can also:
Email application to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (Applications must be saved in a PDF format to avoid delays)
Fax application to 212-487-5349
Mail application to local borough office
Call 1-866-VOTE-NYC (1-866-868-3692)
Download the application in...
VOTE! When you receive your ballot, read it carefully. If you don’t do exactly as instructed, your vote may not be counted. Indicate your choices by filling in the bubbles completely in ink, and place the completed ballot in the smaller “security envelope.” Be sure to sign and date the security envelope! Place the signed and dated envelope in the bigger outer envelope, but don’t use anything extra like tape or glue to seal the envelope. You also don’t need any postage!
Submit your completed ballot ASAP. It must be received seven days after election day to be counted, so get it in the mail as early as possible. It’s even better if you can hand-deliver it, either to your borough Board of Elections office; any Early Voting poll site, open October 24–November 1; or any Election Day poll site in your borough (open November 3). Even if you submit an absentee ballot, you can change your mind and vote in person on Election Day or during Early Voting. Doing so voids your absentee ballot.
Need an Emergency Absentee Ballot?
If the deadline for requesting an absentee ballot by mail has passed and you cannot appear at the polls on Election Day because of an accident or sudden illness, then you may send a representative with an authorized letter to receive an Absentee Ballot Application and Absentee Ballot and return both to the Board of Elections by 9 pm on Election Day at your borough office.
Need to change your address?
If you have moved or changed your address, you must update your voter registration. There are a few different ways to do so. They’re all quick and easy, so don’t delay!
Print, fill out, and mail a paper form: New York State Voter Registration Form. Complete the form as if you were registering for the first time, but use the new address. As a bonus, there’s a box you can check to request an absentee ballot for the next election.
-
You can also fill out the voter registration form online through the NYS DMV.
Vote.org has a streamlined tool to help you register.
Want to help your community members exercise their democratic rights?
If you are a New York State registered voter, you can sign up to serve as a poll worker! Bonus: You’ll get paid for training and for every day you work during Early Voting and/or Election Day.
NYC Votes has text, phone, and digital volunteering options for you to help ensure that New Yorkers have the most up to date election information and can cast their votes safely.
The League of Women Voters offers volunteer opportunities to staff voter registration events.
The New York Civil Liberties Union, NYC’s local branch of the ACLU, offers a variety of volunteer opportunities, including ones geared toward specific skills such as translation, legal expertise, and journalism.
Rock the Vote has a range of opportunities geared toward engaging young voters, sharing information, defending voting rights, and taking action on key issues.
Questions?
Contact the NYC Board of Elections at 1-866-VOTE-NYC or vote.nyc. Let’s get out there and do our civic duty, NYC!
