New York State Absentee Ballot Application
Homebound or members in nursing homes or hospitals can still vote by using the attached absentee ballot. It is recommended that this be filled out well in advance of the actual election to ensure that you get your absentee ballot in time.
Qualifications to Vote by Absentee Ballot
- Absent from your county or, if a resident of New York City absent from said city, on Election Day.
- Unable to appear at the polls due to temporary or permanent illness or disability; or because you are the primary care giver of one or more individuals who are ill or physically disabled.
- A patient or inmate in a Veterans' Administration Hospital.
- Detained in jail awaiting Grand Jury action or confined in prison after conviction for an offense other than a felony.
How to Vote by Absentee Ballot (Deadlines)
- Applications for Absentee Ballots are available at your county board of elections.
- You may also download a PDF version of the New York State Absentee Ballot Application Form
- Download English Form (
261KB) - Download Spanish Form ( 145KB)
- Download English Form (
- Upon completion, applications must be mailed to your county board no later than the seventh day before the election or delivered in person no later than the day before the election.
- You may also request an Absentee Ballot by sending a letter to your county board of elections. The letter must be received by your county board no earlier than 30 days and no later than seven days before the election. The letter must contain the following information:
- the address where you are registered
- an address where the ballot is to be sent
- the reason for the request, and
- the signature of the voter
If you cannot pick up your ballot, or will not be able to receive it through the mail, you have the right to designate someone to pick it up for you. Only that person designated on your application may pick up and deliver your ballot.
If you are permanently ill or disabled, you have the right to receive an Absentee Ballot for each subsequent election without further application. Simply file an application with your county board of elections indicating permanent illness or physical disability. You will then automatically receive an absentee ballot for every election until your registration is canceled.
