Skip to Main Content
Skidmore College

list of name and where they are going to vote. What's Your Plan?Resources & Information

Register to Vote in New York State

Qualifications to Register to Vote

  • be a United States citizen;
  • be 18 years old (you may pre-register at 16 or 17 but cannot vote until you are 18);
  • 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.

How and Where to Register to Vote (Deadlines)

New York State Voter Registration Form

  • You may register to vote using the New York State Voter Registration Form accessible at the links below. You can complete a PDF version of the New York State Voter Registration Form online by clicking on the link below, typing the necessary information and selecting the appropriate boxes. Alternatively, you can print the form to complete by hand. 
  • You can also complete an Accessible version of the New York State Voter Registration Form on-line by clicking on the link below, typing the necessary information and selecting the appropriate boxes.

 

Absentee Voting

Qualifications to Vote by Absentee Ballot (Deadlines)

  • 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 Vote by Absentee Ballot (Deadlines)

  • Applications for Absentee Ballots are available at your county board of elections.
  • You may also download a PDF version of the New York State Absentee Ballot Application 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 the day before the election.
  • You may also 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 following information: 
    • 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.

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. 

 

Coronavirus and Voting by Mail-In Absentee Ballot

States are making it easier for citizens to vote absentee by mail this year due to the coronavirus. Every state’s election rules are different. And each state has its own rules for mail-in absentee voting. Many are still in the process of deciding how they will handle voting during the pandemic. Visit your state election office website to find out if you can vote by mail. Can I Vote takes you right to your state's absentee voting page. 

Open All +

  • Every State Offers Mail-In Absentee Voting
  • Request an Absentee Ballot
  • Tips for Getting an Absentee Ballot
  • No Online Voting

Absentee Voting or Voting by Mail

Absentee voting allows you to vote by mail. Though every state has absentee voting, rules on who can take part vary.

Please note: Your state's rules may change in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Open All +

  • Voters Who Reside in the U.S.
  • Military and Overseas Voters

Early Voting

Sometimes circumstances make it hard or impossible for you to vote on Election Day. But your state may let you vote during a designated early voting period.

Please note: Your state's rules and voting dates may change in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

  • Most states have early voting. This lets registered voters vote on specified dates before Election Day.
  • You don't need an excuse to vote early.
  • In some states, you may cast an absentee ballot in person before Election Day. To do this, you must request an absentee ballot from your state. Your state may require you to submit a valid excuse too. 

Time Frames for Early Voting

This early voting chart lists time frames for states that offer early voting. 

The rules change from state to state. Make sure you know yours if you plan to vote early or in-person absentee.

The best place to check is your state/territorial election office website. Check under “absentee voting” if you don’t see information listed under “voting in person” or “early voting.” 

 

Looking for a way to gather, reflect, escape, support, or be supported? 

See below for a listings of open times at Wilson Chapel, contact Parker Diggory, director of Religious and Spiritual Life or Mary Ann Toia, Campus Life and Engagement Administrative Assistant, for help planning other times and locations, or stop by the Case Information Desk 8:30-4:30 on weekdays to speak with Campus Life and Engagement staff about other opportunities or creating your own.