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Absentee Voting

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2025 General Election

You can vote by absentee ballot if you can’t vote on Election Day or at an early voting poll site because of:

  • Business
  • Studies
  • Travel
  • Imprisonment (not including convicted felons)
  • Illness
  • Disability
  • Hospitalization
  • Residency in a long-term care facility

Accessible absentee ballots are available if you have a condition or disability that requires a ballot that can be read by a screen reader.

Note: You don't need a reason to vote by mail with an early mail ballot.

Voting in Person After Requesting an Absentee Ballot

If you change your mind and want to vote in person instead of by absentee ballot, you can. But you can't cast your vote on a voting machine. Instead, a poll worker will give you an affidavit ballot to complete.

After they get your affidavit ballot, the Board of Elections (BOE) will check if your absentee ballot has been received. If it’s been received, the affidavit ballot won’t be counted. If it hasn’t been received, the affidavit ballot will be counted.

You can request an absentee ballot online or submit an application by mail, email, or in person.

If you are blind, have low vision, or have a disability that requires you to use an accessible version that can be read by a screen reader, you may request an accessible ballot. If you cannot affirm that you are blind or low vision, you must request a regular absentee ballot.

Request a Ballot Online

Request an absentee ballot.

After submitting your request, you can check the status of your application online.

Track your ballot request.

Request a Ballot Application

Ballot applications are available in multiple languages.

Online

Download an application.

In Person

Pick up a copy at a BOE office.

By Mail

Call BOE to request an application and a postage-paid return envelope.

  • Agency: Board of Elections
  • Division: Vote Phone Bank
  • Phone Number: (866) 868-3692
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM
  • Staff is available through the automated phone system during business hours. Automated assistance is also available in Cantonese, Korean, Mandarin, and Spanish. Call volume is often high. If you receive a busy signal or can't get through, call back later.

Submit a Ballot Application

You can mail or drop off your completed application to your borough Board of Elections Office or email Apply4Absentee@boe.nyc.

After submitting your request, you can check the status of your application online.

Track your ballot request.

You can return your completed ballot to the Board of Elections (BOE) by mail or in person.

By Mail

Mail your ballot to your BOE borough office.

To be counted, your absentee ballot must be:

  • Postmarked no later than Election Day
  • Received by the borough office no later than 7 days after Election Day

The Postal Service recommends mailing your ballot at least 7 days before Election Day to ensure it is received on time.

In Person

Absentee voting in person starts as soon as the ballots are available (at least 32 days before an election) and ends on Election Day.

You can drop off your ballot at a BOE office or any poll site during voting hours. Note that not all early voting sites will be available for drop-off on Election Day.

You must deliver your ballot no later than 9 PM on Election Day.

You can check the status of your ballot or ballot application.

Track your ballot.

You can get help with an absentee ballot or application. You can also make a complaint or report a concern about the voting process.

By Email

AbsenteeHelp@boe.nyc

By Phone

  • Agency: Board of Elections
  • Division: Vote Phone Bank
  • Phone Number: (866) 868-3692
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM
  • Staff is available through the automated phone system during business hours. Automated assistance is also available in Cantonese, Korean, Mandarin, and Spanish. Call volume is often high. If you receive a busy signal or can't get through, call back later.

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