Voter Registration FAQ
2023 VOTERS GUIDE
General Election – Tuesday November 7, 2023

Who can vote?

To vote you must:

• be a United States citizen
• be 18 years old by the date of the general, primary or other election in which you want to vote (16 and 17 year olds may pre-register)
• live at your present address at least 30 days before an election
• not be currently incarcerated for a felony conviction
• not be adjudged mentally incompetent by a court
• not claim the right to vote elsewhere
• be registered to vote

In New York State, before you can vote you need to register

How do I register?

• Online through NYS Department of Motor Vehicles website: (must have a valid NYS driver’s license, Learner Permit or Non-Driver ID)
• In-person on any business day at your county Board of Elections (BOEs) or any state agency participating in the National Voter Registration Act (including State University and City University campuses) See list of agencies
• By mail by completing a voter registration form available at BOEs, libraries, town halls, post offices and the League of Women Voters fill in what here fill in what here fill in what here fill in what here

Your registration is permanent but you must fill out a new Voter Registration Form if you change your name, move, or want to change your political party.

How do I make sure I am registered to vote?

• Visit Voter Registration Search site on the NYS Board of Elections website
  You can check your voter registration Status online in Erie County
• Call your county BOE

Illustration adapted from William P. Gottlieb's American Federation of Musicians, ca. Jan. 1947, Public Domain image via the Library of Congress.

Where do I vote?

• Check postcard sent by county BOE prior to election with polling site location, dates of election and more
• Visit Voter Registration Search site on the NYS Board of Elections website
• For Election Day voting (November 8)
  find your traditional polling place in Erie County
  find your traditional polling place in Niagara County
• Call your county BOE
• Visit www.vote411.org

Three ways to vote

• Vote in person on primary or election day at assigned polling place
• Submit absentee ballot application and vote by absentee ballot. If you apply for an absentee ballot and decide to vote in person, in-person vote will be by affidavit ballot.
• Vote early in person during nine days leading up to election days at any of the early voting polling places

How do I vote by absentee ballot?

• Meet one of the qualifications:
  1. Absent from your county or (if a resident of New York City, absent from the five boroughs) on Election Day
  2. 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)
  3. Unable to appear because you are the primary caregiver of one or more individuals who are ill or physically disabled
  4. A resident or patient of a Veterans Health Administration Hospital
  5. Detained in jail awaiting Grand Jury action or confined in prison after conviction for an offense other than a felony
• Complete and mail absentee ballot application to your county BOE office or apply for an absentee ballot online

Do I need identification to vote?

• NO! Your signature is your identification to vote.
• You may be asked for identification if it is the first time you are voting in person and registered by mail.

Where do I find ballot and candidate information?

• Go to www.vote411.org, the League’s electronic voter guide

What if I need help on Election Day?

Call one of these Election Protection Hotlines

• Arabic: 1-844-YALLA-US (844-925-5287)
• Asian multilingual assistance: 1-888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683)
• en Español: 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682)
• English: 1-866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)
• 866-OUR-VOTE isn't just for issues on election day -- they'll answer your questions by phone or text anytime and they have information online, too.