Request Registration/Absentee Ballot

You may be already registered to vote. To check, go to New York's voter registration verification website. Even if you are registered to vote, you still need to complete the form to receive an absentee ballot. You may not need to fill out this entire form. Check out the instructions below to see what information your State requires.

Open Voter Registration/Absentee Ballot Request

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What do I fill in?

Only the following blocks are required:

Block 1: Select the category that describes you

Block 2.a: Name (Last, First, Middle)

Block 2.e: Date of Birth

Blocks 2.f and 2.g: Your valid New York Driver's License Number OR the last four digits of your Social Security Number is required for voter registration. If you do not possess a New York Driver’s License or Social Security Number, other acceptable forms of identification include a photocopy of: current photo ID (passport, school ID, company photo ID), government check, OR other government document.

Blocks 2.h through 2.j: Recommended but not required. Provide your contact information to allow your local election official to follow up if more information is required.

Block 3.a through 3.e: Complete street address of your New York voting residence. A post office box is not sufficient. If your address includes a rural route, describe its location in Block 6. This address must be within the county where you claim legal voting residence.

Block 4.a: Complete address where you want your ballot sent, usually where you live now

Block 4.c: New York does not allow you to receive your blank ballot by fax or email.

Block 5: To vote in primary elections, you must enter your political party affiliation. If you want to be an unaffiliated voter, write “none.” Only the Independence Party allows unaffiliated voters, under certain circumstances, to participate in its primary elections. Political party affiliation is not required if only requesting absentee ballots for general elections.

Block 6: The Federal Post Card Application registers you to vote and requests absentee ballots for all regularly scheduled Federal elections for the calendar year in which it is submitted. If you do not wish to receive ballots for that length of time, you may request a ballot for each election for Federal office held. Provide any information that may assist your election official in accepting this application.

Block 7: Sign and date. No notary or witness required.

Mail

You must mail your Voter Registration/Absentee Ballot Request to a specific election official. Find your county or city in the list below to locate your election official.

Open Election Official Address List

Don't know your county? Go to the county finder.

Don't know your zip code? Go to the United States Postal Service website.

Optional: You may be able to use the Postage-Paid Envelope Template.

Open Postage-Paid Envelope Template

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The postage paid envelope may be used if mailed in the U.S. Postal System, which includes all U.S. Military post offices (APO/FPO) overseas or through the diplomatic pouch available at U.S. embassies/consulates. Affix appropriate postage if using international mail. Template must be printed on a number 10 or larger envelope.

Fax

If you choose to fax, it is recommended that you fax the form directly to your local election official (fax numbers can be found on New York State Election website). You may also use our toll-free fax service:

Inside the U.S.? Fax to:
1-800-368-8683
(703)-693-5527
DSN 223-5527

Outside the U.S.? Show me a list of toll-free fax numbers.

• Check the "Important Dates" section at the top of this page for registration, ballot request, and voted ballot return deadlines.
• If you have not received your absentee ballot in a timely manner use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot.