BUFFALO, N.Y. — September 17 is National Voter registration Day, and many people may be wondering what they need to know ahead of this upcoming election season.
The General Election will be on Tuesday, November 5. Early voting begins Saturday, October 26 and goes until Sunday, November 3.
In Western New York, residents can refer to their local County's Board of Elections for information.
People can find their county's board of elections websites here:
According to the New York State Board of Elections website in order to qualify for voter registration in NYS people must:
- Be a United States Citizen;
- Be 18 years old (you may pre-register at 16 or 17 but cannot vote until you are 18);
- Be a resident of this state and the county, city or village for at least 30 days before the election;
- Not be in prison for a felony conviction;
- Not be adjudged mentally incompetent by a court;
- Not claim the right to vote elsewhere
People can register to vote both online and in person. When registering online people need to have their NYS driver license, permit, or non-driver ID card, a zip code on record with the DMV, and their social security number.
Unsure if you are registered to vote already? Click here to check.
Registration deadlines, people who plan to vote should be aware of the deadlines as follows:
- Mail in registration for the general election, no applications received later than October, 26
- In person registration for the general election, no applications received later than October, 26
Voters can find a complete NYS 2024 Political Calendar of dates to know by clicking here.
Looking to find out how you can vote early by mail?
Any voter registered is allowed to apply for an early mail ballot. Applications can be found by clicking here.
Mail in ballots must be received by a voters local county board of elections at least 10 days before the election for both mail in and those dropping off mail ins, in person.
Voters can also apply for Absentee Ballots. The following is information is what permits those to get one:
- Absent from your county or, if a resident of New York City absent from the five boroughs, on Election Day.
- Unable to appear at the polls due to temporary or permanent illness or disability.
- Unable to appear 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.
- In jail or prison for any reason other than a felony conviction. This includes anyone who is awaiting grand jury action, awaiting trial, or serving a sentence for a misdemeanor.
Voters looking to learn more about the New York State Board of Elections can visit elections.ny.gov