What to know about voting in Long Island's November election
New York State offers several options for casting a ballot this Election Day, Nov. 5, thanks to nine days of early voting, online voter registration and mail-in ballots.
There are a number of key deadlines to meet to ensure your vote is counted. Newsday compiled this FAQ to help you keep track of important dates.
FAQ
How do I check if I'm registered to vote?
Enter your name, date of birth, ZIP code and county of residence on the state Board of Elections website to check enrollment and polling locations.
What kind of ID is required to register to vote?
You’ll need a valid state driver’s license number or the last four digits of your Social Security number to get started. If neither of those is available, other forms of acceptable documentation include a valid DMV-issued photo ID, current utility bill, recent bank statement, government check or some other government document with your name and address.
The online voter registration portal can be found here. You can also register in person by visiting your local Board of Elections office in either Nassau or Suffolk county.
What are the eligibility requirements to vote?
According to state law, to be eligible to vote you must not be in prison for a felony conviction, not registered to vote someplace else and be at least 18 years old (New Yorkers can pre-register to vote as early as 16).
When is the voter registration deadline?
The final day to register to vote in person at your local election office is Oct. 26.
How do I request a mail-in or absentee ballot?
Yes, you can click here to track your absentee ballot.
When is my mail-in or absentee ballot due?
Mail-in ballots must be returned in person or postmarked by Nov. 5. You can drop off mail-in and absentee ballots at any polling site or the Board of Elections on Election Day. You may request an absentee ballot online by Oct. 26.
Can I track the status of my ballot after I submit it?
Fill out an absentee ballot application and submit it to your local Board of Elections office. You may also pick up an absentee ballot at your local BOE office by Nov. 4, but not on Election Day.
When does early voting begin?
Early voting is Oct. 26-Nov. 3. You can also vote in person on Election Day, Nov. 5.
Can I vote early by mail?
Yes. Similar to applying for an absentee ballot, you may request a mail-in early voting ballot online. Mail-in early voting ballot applications must be sent in to your local Board of Elections office 10 days before an election. Once you receive a ballot, fill it out and either mail it to your local BOE office with a postmark of no later than Nov. 5, or hand it off in person at your local BOE office or polling site.
Do polling sites accommodate disabled voters?
Yes. Each polling site will have a disabled-accessible voting machine that can accommodate wheelchairs, has tactile voting for the blind and sip-and-puff or rocker panels for quadriplegics.
Where do I go to vote in person?
Find your voting site at voterlookup.elections.ny.gov. Nassau County voters with questions also can visit their local Board of Elections office at 240 Old Country Rd. in Mineola, or call 516-571-8683. Voters in Suffolk can visit their Board of Elections office at 700 Yaphank Ave. in Yaphank, or call 631-852-4500.
You can vote in person at early polling sites from Oct. 26 through Nov. 3. Early voting polling sites will be listed with Boards of Elections. You may also vote in person at your designated polling site on Election Day, Nov. 5, which could be different from your early voting poll site.
Can I still vote in person even if I submit an absentee ballot?
Due to a change in New York State law, you can no longer vote in person to override an absentee ballot that has been returned and counted. In prior years, in-person voting would void a returned absentee ballot.
If a voter requests a second absentee ballot, their first absentee ballot will be voided. If both ballots arrive before the deadline, the ballot with the latest postmark will be used.
A voter who received or returned an absentee ballot may vote at a polling site using an affidavit ballot, but that ballot will be set aside and not counted if their absentee ballot was already returned and counted. (In past years, absentee ballots would not be counted until after polls closed.)
Key Dates
Nov. 5
2024 Presidential Election
Dec. 17
Electors cast votes
Dec. 25
Electoral votes must be received by the Senate president or the archivist
Jan. 3
Congress convenes
Jan. 6
Congress counts the electoral votes
Jan. 20
Inauguration Day
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