Contents

• be a citizen of the United States
• be a resident of this state and the county, city or village for at least 30 days before the election
• be 18 years old (you may pre-register at 16 or 17 but cannot vote until you are 18)
• not be in jail or on parole for a felony conviction (unless parolee pardoned or restored rights of citizenship)
• not currently be judged incompetent by order of a court of competent judicial authority
• not claim the right to vote elsewhere
• You can find more information on voting rights restoration here

• New York offers online voter registration.
• You should know: you need a NY state driver license, permit or non-driver ID issued by the DMV to use New York's online voter registration system AND a social security number. The address listed on your ID needs to match where you’re registering to vote. If you don't have a New York-issued ID, or prefer to register at a different address, you can still register by mail to vote.

Use the New York voter registration form

Use the National Voter Registration Form

1. Print and fill out the  National Voter Registration Form.
2. Box 6 - ID Number: Federal law requires that you provide your New York driver's license number to register to vote. If you do not have a driver's license then you will have to provide at least the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you have neither, please write "NONE" on the form. A unique identifying number will be assigned to you by your State.
3. Box 7 - Choice of Party: You can only vote in a partisan primary in New York if you are a registered member of that party. You should register with the party whose primary you would like to vote in.
4. Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank. This information is not required.
5. Review the "Who can vote?" section above and check that you're eligible.
6. Sign the form.
7. Send the completed form to your local election office.
8. If you are registering to vote for the first time in your jurisdiction and are mailing this registration application, Federal law requires you to show proof of identification the first time you vote. Proof of identification includes: A current and valid photo identification or A current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or government document that shows your name and address. More information here.

• You can also register to vote in person. Contact your local election office for information on when and where to register to vote.
• Learn more by visiting the Secretary of State for New York or contacting your local election office.

1. Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), or download a copy. Your election official may have questions, so please provide an email address or phone number where they can reach you.
2. Send the application to your election official.
3. It is never too early to submit an FPCA! Please do so as soon as possible. .
4. Please fill out and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it.
5. States begin mailing absentee ballots at least 45 days before Election Day. If you haven't received your ballot by 30 days before Election Day, contact your local election office.

• You can still vote using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Print, sign, and mail your FWAB to your local Board of Registrars. 
• If you mail a FWAB and then receive your regular absentee ballot, you should complete and mail your absentee ballot also. Election officials will ensure that only one ballot is counted.The Federal Voting Assistance Program