📨 Vote by Mail: Absentee and Early Mail Ballots (2025)

✅ Check the Status of Your Ballot

You can check the status of your absentee or early mail ballot request by visiting the New York State Ballot Tracker.  

Click Here

✉️ Early Mail Ballots

Who Can Apply?

Any registered voter in New York State may apply for an early mail ballot.
 Each voter must apply individually.
 ⚠️ It is a felony to make a false statement on a ballot application, to vote illegally, or to assist someone in doing so.

How to Apply for an Early Mail Ballot

You may apply using one of the following methods:

• Online:
  Early Mail Ballot Application Portal
   (Available January 1, 2024 and beyond)
• In Person:
   Visit your County Board of Elections office.
• By Designated Representative:
   You may authorize someone to deliver your application and pick up your ballot.
• By Mail (Downloadable Form):
  • Download English Form (PDF, 680KB)
  • Download Spanish Form (PDF, 203KB)

Application Deadlines

• By Mail: Must be received by your county Board of Elections no later than October 25, 2025.
• In Person: Must be submitted no later than Monday, November 3, 2025.

How to Cast an Early Mail Ballot

1. Complete your ballot, following the instructions provided.
2. Place the ballot in the Security Envelope.
3. Sign and date the Security Envelope.
4. Seal the Security Envelope.
5. Insert the Security Envelope into the Return Envelope (postage is prepaid).
6. Seal the Return Envelope.

Ways to Return Your Ballot

You may return your completed early mail ballot by:

• Mail: Must be postmarked no later than Election Day (Tuesday, November 4, 2025)
• In Person:
  • At your County Board of Elections Office
  • At the Board of Elections Dropbox located out front of the County Office Building
  • At any early voting site between October 25 and November 2, 2025
  • At any poll site on Election Day by 9:00 PM

🗳️ Absentee Ballots

Who May Vote Absentee?

You may vote by absentee ballot if you are:

• Absent from your county (or the five NYC boroughs) on Election Day
• Temporarily or permanently ill or physically disabled
• The primary caregiver for someone who is ill or physically disabled
• A resident or patient of a Veterans Health Administration hospital
• In jail or prison for any reason other than a felony conviction

How to Apply for an Absentee Ballot

You may apply using any of the following methods:

• Online:
  Absentee Ballot Application Portal
• In Person:
  Visit your County Board of Elections office.
• By Mail:
   Download and submit your application using the forms below:
  • Download English Form (PDF, 655KB)
  • Download Spanish Form (PDF, 179KB)
• By Designated Representative:
   You may authorize someone to deliver your application and receive your ballot on your behalf.

Application Deadlines

• By Mail: Must be received by October 25, 2025
• In Person: Must be submitted by Monday, November 3, 2025

📌 If you are permanently ill or disabled, you may request to receive absentee ballots automatically for future elections.

How to Cast an Absentee Ballot

Follow the same process as for early mail ballots:

1. Mark your choices on the ballot
2. Place it in the Security Envelope
3. Sign and date the outside of the Security Envelope
4. Seal the Security Envelope
5. Insert it into the Return Envelope (prepaid postage included)
6. Seal and return the Return Envelope

Return Deadlines for 2025 General Election

⏳ Mail Timing Tips

The U.S. Postal Service recommends mailing ballots at least 7 days before Election Day.
Ballots mailed after the last collection time on November 4 may not be postmarked in time.

🛠️ Absentee Ballot Cure Process

If your absentee ballot has a curable error (e.g., missing signature), the Board of Elections will notify you.
You may correct the error by submitting a Cure Statement:

• Download Cure Statement Instructions (PDF, 105KB)

📜 New Absentee Ballot Rules (Effective 2025)

If you've been issued an absentee ballot, you may not vote on a machine on Election Day.
You may still vote in person using an affidavit ballot. That ballot will only be counted if your absentee ballot is not received.

Multiple Ballots

• If more than one ballot is submitted, only the last one received by the deadline will be counted
• If both are received and valid, only the one with the latest postmark will be counted (if unopened)

♿ Accessible Absentee Voting

Need an Accessible Ballot?

Voters with visual impairments may request an accessible absentee ballot through the online portal:

👉 Accessible Absentee Ballot Portal

If you need printing access, public resources are available at:

• Libraries
• Office supply and print stores
• Shipping service centers

You may also vote using an accessible Ballot Marking Device (BMD) during early voting or on Election Day.

📄 Additional Accessibility Resources:

• Accessible Ballot Delivery Overview (PDF, 148KB)
• Hernandez Settlement Summary (PDF, 116KB)
• Full Settlement Agreement (PDF, 417KB)

📞 Questions?
Contact: Jennifer Wilson
 Public Information Office, NYS Board of Elections
 📞 (518) 474-1953
 📧 pio@elections.ny.gov