Voter Information Guide
Register to Vote
Register to Vote
Register to vote or update your voter information online.
Exercise your right as an American citizen — register to vote. You can also use this online service to join a political party, change your party designation, or update your name and address on file with the Board of Elections.
To register to vote you must:
- Be a United States citizen;
- Be 18 years old by December 31 of the year in which you file this form (note: you must be 18 years old by the date of the general, primary or other election in which you want to vote);
- Be a resident of this state and the county, city or village for at least 30 days before the election;
- Not be in prison or on parole for a felony conviction (unless parolee pardoned or restored rights of citizenship);
- Not be adjudged mentally incompetent by a court;
- Not claim the right to vote elsewhere.
To register online, you will need:
- NYS driver license, permit, or non-driver ID card
- ZIP Code currently on record with the DMV
- Social security number
If you do not put a DMV number or the last 4 digits of your social security number on the form, please fill out this form and attach a copy of an alternative form of ID before mailing in or dropping off to your County Board of Elections.
Completed applications are sent to local County or City Board of Elections for approval and processing which can take up to six weeks. The DMV does not approve or deny voter registration applications. Contact your County Board of Elections if you haven't gotten a response within six weeks.
Confidentiality for Victims of Domestic Violence
If you are a victim of domestic violence who would like your voter registration information to be confidential, before you register you can apply to the Supreme, County, or Family Court in your county for an order granting confidentiality, and requiring that your records be kept separate from other voter registration records. Those separate records cannot be seen or copied by anyone other than election officials. When you take a copy of that order to your local Board of Elections and register to vote, your records will be confidential and not available to the public.
Important Deadlines
2021 Important Deadlines:
Primary Elections
- Registering to vote for the first time: May 28
- Submit an address change: June 2
- Change your political party: February 16, (date changed by Executive Order)
- Submit an absentee ballot application by mail: June 15
- Submit an absentee ballot application in-person: June 21
- Return your voted absentee ballot by mail: Postmarked by June 22; BOE must receive your ballot by June 29
- Return your voted absentee ballot in-person: June 22 by close of polls at 9pm
General Election
- Registering to vote for the first time: October 8
- Submit an address change: October 13
- Submit an absentee ballot application by mail: must be received by the board on or before October 18
- Submit an absentee ballot application in-person: November 1
- Return your voted absentee ballot by mail: Postmarked by November 2; BOE must receive your ballot by November 9
- Return your voted absentee ballot in-person: November 2 by close of polls at 9pm
Absentee Voting
Election Day is Tuesday, November 2, 2021
Early Voting Period is October 23, 2021 - October 31, 2021
Qualifications to Vote by Absentee
- Absent from Orange County on Election Day.
- Unable to appear at the polls due to temporary or permanent illness or disability (temporary illness includes being unable to appear due to risk of contracting or spreading a communicable disease like COVID-19).
- 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.
- Detained in jail awaiting Grand Jury action or confined in prison after conviction for an offense other than a felony.
When is it due?
You must apply online, postmark, email or fax a completed application or letter request for the General Election Absentee ballot no later than October 18, 2021. You may apply in-person up to the day before the election (November 1, 2021). You may file an application at any time before the deadlines, but ballots will be mailed out beginning on or about September 20, 2021. (PLEASE BE AWARE THAT DESPITE THE ABOVE DEADLINES THE POST OFFICE HAS ADVISED THAT THEY CANNOT GUARANTEE TIMELY DELIVERY OF BALLOTS APPLIED FOR LESS THAN 15 DAYS BEFORE AN ELECTION.)
How to Apply for an Absentee Ballot
You may apply for an absentee ballot in any of the following ways:
- Electronically through our Absentee Ballot Application Portal: Electronic Absentee Ballot Request Portal
- By sending an email request to absentee@orangecountygov.com
- By sending a fax request to (845) 291-2437
- By going in-person to our office - Orange County Board of Elections, 75 Webster Ave, Goshen, NY 10924 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, masks are required)
- By mailing a paper application to your local Orange County Board of Elections, PO Box 30, Goshen, NY 10924
You can download a PDF version of the New York State Absentee Ballot Application Form: Absentee Ballot Application - English Absentee Ballot Application - Spanish
By sending a letter to Orange County Board of Elections, PO Box 30, Goshen, NY 10924.
. The letter must contain the following information:
- Name and date of birth of the voter
- the address where you are registered
- an address where the ballot is to be sent, and
- the reason for the request.
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.
If you cannot pick up your ballot, or will not be able to receive it through the mail, you have the right to designate someone to pick it up for you. Only that person designated on your application may pick up and deliver your ballot.
If you are permanently ill or disabled, you have the right to receive an Absentee Ballot for each subsequent election without further application. Simply file an application with your county board of elections indicating permanent illness or physical disability.
You will then automatically receive an absentee ballot for every election until your registration is canceled.
If you are visually impaired or otherwise disabled, such that your disability requires you to use an accessible absentee ballot application, you have two accessible options to request a ballot on this page, either using the Accessible Electronic Ballot Application Portal:
Accessible Electronic Ballot Application Portal
Accessible Electronic Ballot Application Portal Instructions
How to Cast an Absentee Ballot
- Once your receive the ballot, mark the ballot according to your choices for each office following the instructions on the ballot
- Once you have completed marking your ballot fold it up and place it in the Security Envelope. (This envelope will have a place for your signature.)
- Sign and date the outside of the Security Envelope.
- Seal the Security Envelope.
- Place the Security Envelope in the Return Envelope. (This envelope will have the return address of your county Board of Elections on the outside and should have a logo that reads, “Official Election Mail”)
- Seal the Return Envelope.
- You may return the ballot in any of the following ways:
- Put it in the mail ensuring it receives a postmark no later than November 2nd.
- Bringing it to the County Board of Elections Office no later than November 2nd by 9pm.
- Bringing it to an early voting poll site between October 23rd and November 1st
- Bringing it to a poll site on November 2nd by 9pm.
Mail Time Considerations When Returning an Absentee Ballot
When mailing your completed ballot, the USPS recommends that voters allow enough time for ballots to be returned to the Board, which is generally seven days ahead of the general election. New York State requires your ballot to be both postmarked by November 2nd, 2021 and received by our Board by November 9th, 2021. Voters who mail in their ballots on Election Day must be aware of the posted collection times on collection boxes and at the Postal Service’s retail facilities, and that ballots entered after the last posted collection time will not be postmarked until the following business day.
You Can Still Vote in Person if You Request an Absentee Ballot
Even if you request or cast and return an absentee ballot, you may still go to the polls and vote in person. The Election Law recognizes that plans change. The Board of Elections is required to check the poll book before canvassing any absentee ballot. If the voter comes to the poll site, on Election Day or during early voting and votes in person, the absentee ballot is set aside and not counted.
Application
Applications for Absentee Ballots are available at your county board of elections.
- Absentee Ballot Application - Ballot Pickup Policy
- Absentee Ballot Application
- Absentee Ballot Application (en espanol)
- My Absentee Ballot Status
- Military/Federal Absentee Form
Upon completion, applications must be mailed to your county board no later than the seventh day before the election or delivered in person no later than election day.
If you are permanently ill or disabled, you have the right to receive an Absentee Ballot for each subsequent election without further application. You will then automatically receive an absentee ballot for every election until your registration is canceled.
Early Voting Sites and Schedule
Look Up Your Voter Status & Polling Place
Orange Library Association Legislative Forums
Orange County Board of Elections Website
Orange County Board of Elections Website
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 30
Goshen, NY 10924
Phone: (845) 360-6500
Fax: (845) 291-2437
Toll Free: (888) 879-POLL
Bilingual Assistance: (855) 331-2444
Louise Vandemark
Election Commissioner Democrat
Courtney Canfield Greene
Election Commissioner Republican
-
Board of Elections
Military and Overseas Voting
Military and Overseas (Federal) Voting
Military Voting
Qualifications
- Persons serving in the military, along with their spouses and/or dependents, may register as a military voter in New York, entitling them to receive an absentee ballot for all federal, state and local races that they would be otherwise entitled to vote in if they were to go to their assigned polling place based on their New York residence.
Registering/Applying for a Ballot
- To register as a new military voter and/or to request an absentee ballot, you must complete a Federal Post Card Application
and return it to your county board of elections in New York. - This application will register you (if not already registered) and will also serve as your absentee ballot application for 2 federal general election cycles.
- Always be sure to share any change of address information with your county board of elections.
- Applications are available from your Voting Assistance Officer on base, or you can visit either the Federal Voting Assistance Program Website for forms and information.
- On this application, you may state a preference as to how you would like to receive your ballot. You can choose mail, fax or email as a preferred method of transmission.
- If you have stated a preference to receive your voting materials by email/online, you will receive an email notification directing you to the State’s online ballot delivery site, https://nysballot.elections.ny.gov to access your ballot.
- Questions? Call the State Board of Elections at 518-474-1953 or the Federal Voter Assistance Program at 1-800-438-8683, or contact your Voting Assistance Officer or US Embassy office or Consulate.
Returning Your Ballot
- Regardless of the method in which you receive your ballot, you must return your ballot to your local county board of elections by personal delivery, postal mail or certain private delivery services (
79.8KB). - If you have requested your ballot, but have not yet received it, you may use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot and return that to your county board of elections.
Tracking Your Ballot
- You can utilize New York's Military and Overseas Ballot Tracking Website to track when your ballot has been received by your local county board of elections.
Military Deadlines
MILITARY DEADLINES FOR 2021 PRIMARY ELECTION (JUNE 22)
| Date | Voter Registration |
|---|---|
| May 28 | Last day for a board of elections to receive registration application for military voter to be eligible to vote in primary. Sec. 10-106(5). |
| Date | Requesting Your Ballot |
| May 28 | Last day for a board of elections to receive application for absentee ballot by by mail if NOT previously registered. Sec. 10-106(5). |
| June 15 | Last day for a board of elections to receive application for absentee ballot by mail previously registered. Sec. 10-106(5). |
| June 21 | Last day to apply for absentee ballot in person if previously registered. Sec 10-106(5). |
| Date | Returning your Ballot |
| June 22 | Last day to postmark return ballot. Must be received by the local board of elections no later than June 29th. Sec 10-114(1). |
MILITARY DEADLINES FOR 2021 GENERAL ELECTION (NOVEMBER 2)
| Date | Voter Registration |
|---|---|
| Oct. 23 | Last day for a board of elections to receive registration for military voter to be eligible to vote in general. Sec. 10-106(5). |
| Date | Requesting Your Ballot |
| Oct. 23 | Last day for a board of elections to receive application for ballot by mail if NOT previously registered. Sec. 10-106(5). (10/27 Saturday) |
| Oct. 24 | Last day for a board of elections to receive application by mail if previously registered. Sec. 10-106(5). |
| Nov. 1 | Last day to apply in-person if previously registered. Sec. 10-106(5). |
| Date | Returning Your Ballot |
| Nov. 2 | Last day to postmark ballot. Must be received by the local board of elections no later than November 15th. Sec. 10-114(1), |
Overseas Civilian Voting (Special Federal Voters/Uniformed & Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act Voters)
Qualifications
- United States citizens living outside of the United States whose intent to return is uncertain and whose last U.S. residence was in New York, along with their children, may register as a special federal voter in New York, entitling them to receive an absentee ballot for all federal races (President/Vice President, U.S. Senate and House of Representatives) that they would otherwise be entitled to vote in based on your New York address.
- United States citizens living outside of the United States who intend to return and whose last U.S. residence was in New York, along with their children, may register as a UOCAVA voter in New York, entitling them to receive an absentee ballot for all races on the ballot that they would otherwise be entitled to vote in based on your New York address.
Registering/Applying for a Ballot
- To register as a new overseas voter and/or to request an absentee ballot, you must complete a Federal Post Card Application and return it to the county board of elections of their previous New York residence.
- This application will register you (if not already registered) and will also serve as your absentee ballot application for 2 federal general election cycles.
- Always be sure to share any change of address information with your county board of elections.
- You can visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program Website for forms and information.
- On this application, you may state a preference as to how you would like to receive your ballot. You can choose mail, fax or email as a preferred method of transmission.
- If you have stated a preference to receive your voting materials by email/online, you will receive an email notification directing you to the State’s online ballot delivery site, https://nysballot.elections.ny.gov to access your ballot.
- If you move back to the US, contact your county board of elections, to have your registration reflect that change.
- Questions? Call the State Board of Elections at 518-474-1953 or the Federal Voter Assistance Program at 1-800-438-8683, or contact your US Embassy office or Consulate.
Returning Your Ballot
- Regardless of the method in which you receive your ballot, you must return your ballot to your local county board of elections by personal delivery, postal mail or certain private delivery services ( 79.7KB).
- If you have requested your ballot, but have not yet received it, you may use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot and return that to your county board of elections.
Tracking Your Ballot
- You can utilize New York's Military and Overseas Ballot Tracking Website to track when your ballot has been received by your local county board of elections.
Overseas Civilian Voting Deadlines
DEADLINES FOR OVERSEAS (UOCAVA) VOTERS FOR 2021 PRIMARY ELECTION (JUNE 22)
| Date | Voter Registration |
|---|---|
| May 28 | Last day for a board of elections to receive registration application for UOCAVA voter to be eligible to vote in primary. Sec. 11-202(1)(a). |
| Date | Requesting Your Ballot |
| May 28 | Last day for a board of elections to receive application for UOCAVA voter for absentee ballot by mail if NOT previously registered. Sec. 11-202(1). |
| June 15 | Last day for a board of elections to receive application for UOCAVA voter for absentee ballot by mail if previously registered. Sec. 11-204(4). |
| Date | Returning Your Ballot |
| June 22 | Last day to postmark UOCAVA return ballot. Must be received by the local board of elections no later than June 29th. Sec. 11-212.. |
DEADLINES FOR OVERSEAS (UOCAVA) VOTERS FOR 2021 GENERAL ELECTION (NOVEMBER 2)
| Date | Voter Registration |
|---|---|
| Oct. 8 | Last day for a board of elections to receive registration application for UOCAVA voter to be eligible to vote in general election. Sec. 11-202(1). |
| Date | Requesting Your Ballot |
| Oct. 8 | Last day for a board of elections to receive application for UOCAVA voter for absentee ballot by mail if NOT previously registered. Sec. 11-202(1). |
| Oct. 26 | Last day for a board of elections to receive application for UOCAVA voter for absentee ballot by mail if previously registered. Sec. 11-204(4). |
| Date | Returning Your Ballot |
| Nov. 2 | Last day to postmark ballot UOCAVA return ballot. Must be received by the local board of elections no later than November 15th. Sec. 11-212. |
