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State and County Boards of Elections

New York State Board of Elections

Erie County Board of Elections Main page
134 W. Eagle Street,
Buffalo NY 14202
(716) 858-8891
fax (716) 858-8282

Niagara County Board of Elections Elections Page
111 Main Street, Suite 100,
Lockport NY 14094-3791
(716) 438-4040
fax (716) 438-4054

2022 VOTERS GUIDE
Voter Registration FAQ

General Election – Tuesday November 8, 2022

For whom/what will I be voting on in the 2022 election?

  • Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, and Comptroller
  • US Senate (one seat)
  • All members of the United States House of Representatives
  • All NY State Assembly Members
  • All NY State Senators
  • Some village, town, county, special districts
  • Go to www.vote411.org for all ballot info

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?

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?

Where do I vote?

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?

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.

This Voters Guide is adapted from a print brochure prepared by the League of Women Voters of New York State.