As part of the WNY Women’s Foundation’s Community Civic Engagement Effort (CCEE) to encourage individuals to register to vote, Trocaire College has pledged to assist its stakeholders by providing information about voting and registering to vote.
Deadline Dates
The NYS Voter Registration Deadline is (May 20, 2020) and Election Day is (Nov. 3, 2020).
Why vote? Voting is important in exercising our rights as citizens and influencing how our government is ran. Every vote does matter! Register to vote by May 20th for Election Day on November 3rd.
Registration Status
Not sure if you’re registered to vote? You can check your voter registration status! Use this link to see if you are registered at your current address. Don’t forget, your VOTE counts and your VOICE matters.
www.iwillvote.com
Register to Vote
You can register in any one of these ways: online at www.ny.gov/vote, by mail (forms available in English and Spanish at www.elections.ny.gov), in person at your local DMV or Board of Elections, or by calling 1-800-FOR-VOTE to request an application form.
If you need assistance of any kind, please contact Lauren Reczek.
Where Do I Go to Vote?
You can find your voter registration and polling site on the New York State Board of Elections’ website.
Early In-Person Voting
In January 2019, New York State began modernizing the election law, expanding voter access by enacting a flexible in-person “Early Voting” period. All primary, run-off primary, special, and general elections now allow New Yorkers to have more convenient opportunities to participate in elections. Learn where and when you can go to cast your vote ahead of election day, based on the county where you are registered to vote at: https://www.voteearlyny.org/
Keep in mind:
- Any registered voter is eligible to vote early in-person during the early voting period.
- Early voting in New York is available at designated early voting sites from 10 days before the election through the 2nd day before the election. *As of March 28, 2020, registration deadlines have been updated and changes are reflected below.*
- Presidential Primary Election: June 13 -21, 2020*
- State Primary Election: June 13 – 21, 2020
- General Election: October 24 – November 1, 2020
Election Day Voting
Voting sites will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Election Day. If you are in line by the closing time then you must be allowed to vote. Hours may vary for primary elections so check with your board of elections before voting in a primary.
2020 Election Days: *As of March 28, 2020, registration deadlines have been updated and changes are reflected below.*
- General Election: November 3, 2020
Absentee Ballots
If you are unable to vote on election day, or at an early voting polling location, you are eligible to vote in an election through the use of an Absentee Ballot.
Qualifications to Vote by Absentee Ballot
You can vote by absentee ballot if you are:
- 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 resident or patient of a Veterans Health Administration Hospital;
- Detained in jail awaiting Grand Jury action or confined in prison after conviction for an offense other than a felony.
How to Request to Vote by Absentee Ballot
- The method varies from county to county so contact your county board of elections. However in all counties you can:
- 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 information outlined below. If you apply by letter, an application form will be mailed with your ballot. The application form must be completed and returned with your ballot.
- 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
- Download a PDF version of the New York State Absentee Ballot Application Form and mail to your county board of elections. Upon completion, applications must be mailed to your county board no later than seven days before the election or delivered in person no later than the day before the election.
- 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 information outlined below. If you apply by letter, an application form will be mailed with your ballot. The application form must be completed and returned with your ballot.
Deadlines to Vote by Absentee Ballot
You must request an absentee ballot from your county of elections prior to the 2020 request deadline.
- General Election:
- October 27: Last day to postmark an application or letter of application by mail for an absentee ballot.
- November 2: Last day to apply in-person for absentee ballot and last day to postmark ballot.