2020 NVRD Training Manual
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2020 NVRD Training Manual
VOTER REGISTRATION INFORMATION
CONTENTS
Voter Registration Deadlines ...................................................................... 1
LWV Saratoga Online Voter Toolbox .......................................................... 2
NYS Board of Elections Information ............................................................ 2
Frequently Asked Questions ....................................................................... 3
Absentee Voting ......................................................................................... 5
Early Voting ................................................................................................ 7
Military and Overseas (Federal) Voting ....................................................... 8
Your Right to Vote in New York State ....................................................... 12
• College Students ............................................................................... 12
• Homeless Individuals ......................................................................... 15
• Individuals with Disabilities ................................................................ 17
• Individuals with Mental Health Disabilities.......................................... 20
• Individuals with Criminal Convictions and Those Detained in Jail or
Prison ....................................................................................................... 22
Organ Donations....................................................................................... 26
Helpful Websites ....................................................................................... 28
Addenda: .................................................................................................. 28
• Congressional and District Maps ....................................................... 28
• NYS Voter Registration Form ............................................................ 28
• NYS State Absentee Ballot Application .............................................. 28
• New for GENERAL ELECTION 2020 ................................................. 29
iVoter Registration Deadlines
November 3, 2020 General Election Deadlines
MAIL REGISTRATION (N.Y. Election Law Section 5-210(3)
Applications (“NYS Voter Registration Form”) must be postmarked no later
than October 9, 2020 and received by a Board of Elections (BOE) no later
than October 14, 2020 to be eligible to vote in the General Election.
IN PERSON REGISTRATION (N.Y. Election Law Sections 5-210, 5-211, 5-
212)
You may register at your local Board of Elections or any state agency
participating in the National Voter Registration Act, on any business day
throughout the year, but to be eligible to vote in the General Election, your
application must be received no later than October 9, 2020. If honorably
discharged from the US Military or have become a naturalized US Citizen
after October 10, 2020, you may register in person at the Board of
Elections up until October 24, 2020.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS (N.Y. Election Law Section 5-208(3) The voter
registration form should be used as a change of address form. Notices of
change of address from registered voters received at least 20 days before
a special, primary or general election by a County Board of Elections (BOE)
must be processed and entered by Oct. 14, 2020.
CHANGE OF PARTY ENROLLMENT: (N.Y. Election Law Section 5-208(3)
The voter registration form should be used to change your party enrollment
from one party to another or to enroll for the first time in a party. A change
of enrollment received up until February 14th each year will be effective
immediately. Changes received on or after February 15th until seven days
after the June Primary will be set aside and opened the seventh day
following the June Primary and entered in the voter's registration record.
12020 Voting by Absentee Ballot
Deadlines
FOR GENERAL ELECTION
Date Deadline Information
Last day to postmark an application or letter of
Oct. 27
application by mail for an absentee ballot.
Nov. 2 Last day to apply IN-PERSON for absentee ballot.
Last day to postmark ballot. Must be received by the
local board of elections no later than Nov. 16th.
Nov. 2
Military Voter Ballots must be received no later than
Nov. 16th.
Last day to deliver ballot IN-PERSON to the local
Nov. 3
board of elections (by someone other than the voter).
Anyone detained in jail for an offense other than a felony may request an
absentee ballot.
LWV Saratoga Online Voter Toolbox
www.lwvsaratoga.org/voter-toolbox
• Learn about election dates
• Where to Vote
• Register/Check Voter Status
• Special Situations
NYS Board of Elections Information
www.elections.ny.gov
2Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register to vote?
You can register in person at your County Board of Elections (BOE) or
at any New York State (NYS) Agency-based voter registration center.
https://www.elections.ny.gov/NVRA.html
• You may also submit your voter registration form at the Department
of Motor Vehicles (DMV), either in person or on their web site if you
already have DMV-issued identification.
● You can call the 1-800-FOR-VOTE (1-800-367-8683) hotline to
request a voter application.
How do I change my name and address?
The voter registration form should be used as a change of address form.
Notices of change of address from registered voters received at least 20
days before a special, primary or general election by the County BOE must
be processed and entered in the records by Oct. 14, 2020.
How Do I Change Party Enrollment?
The voter registration form should be used to change your party enrollment
from one party to another or to enroll for the first time in a party. A change
of enrollment received up until February 14th each year will be effective
immediately. Changes received on or after February 15th until seven days
after the June Primary will be set aside and opened the seventh day
following the June Primary and entered in the voter's registration record.
I am a victim of domestic violence, how can I protect
myself when I register to vote? What about voting at
my poll site?
3NYS Election Law (5-508) allows victims of domestic violence who obtain a
court order from NYS Supreme Court in the county where they are
registered to have their voter registration record kept separate and apart
from other registration records and not be made available for inspection or
copying by the public or any other person, except election officials acting
within the course and scope of their official duties. Under a separate
section of the law (11-306), you can also be excused from going to your
polling place to vote and get a special ballot. For further information, you
should contact your local BOE for their confidential registration and special
ballot procedures.
How do I file a complaint or find out information
about enforcement related to registration process?
If you wish to file a complaint or inquire about enforcement action you may
contact the Enforcement Counsel at:
Risa S. Sugarman, Chief Enforcement Counsel
Division of Election Law Enforcement, NYS Board of Elections
40 North Pearl Street, Albany, NY 12207
518-486-7858
enforcement@elections.ny.gov.
Where do I go to vote?
County BOE will send a postcard listing your polling place/location prior to
Nov. 3rd, or you can contact them with questions.
https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov/
Caution: polling site locations might change due to Covid-19 issues.
Please verify information.
https://www.saratogacountyny.gov/departments/board-of-elections/
4When is the next election?
▪ General Election: November 3, 2020
▪ For more information regarding filing or registration dates or
deadlines refer to the Political Calendar on the BOE website.
What hours are polling places open?
▪ General Election Polls open at 6 AM – close at 9 PM
Absentee Voting
Qualifications to Vote by Absentee Ballot
▪ 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 caregiver 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.
Please note: Temporary illness includes being unable to appear due to
risk of contracting or spreading a communicable disease like COVID-19.
How to Vote by Absentee Ballot
▪ You must file an Application for Absentee Ballot at your County BOE.
5▪ You may also download a PDF version of the NYS Absentee Ballot
Application Form in English or Spanish at www.elections.ny.gov.
Please contact the NYS BOE for a comprehensive list of this form in
other languages.
Public Information
▪ 518-474-1953 (Fax 518-473-8315)
▪ Email: INFO@elections.ny.gov
▪ Upon completion, applications must be mailed to your County
BOE no later than Oct. 27, 2020 or delivered in person no later than
the day before the election (Nov 2, 2020).
▪ You may request an Absentee Ballot by sending a letter to your
County BOE. The letter must be received by your county board no
earlier than Oct. 4, 2020 and no later Oct. 27, 2020. 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 Absentee Ballot 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.
6Anyone detained in jail for an offense other than a felony may request
an absentee ballot.
Caution: Mail may be delayed due to USPS systemic delays;
anticipate longer-than-usual delivery time.
Early Voting
7Caution: polling site locations might change due to Covid-19 issues.
Please verify information.
https://www.saratogacountyny.gov/departments/board-of-elections
Military and Overseas (Federal) 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 or the Military and Overseas Federal Voting 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
8State’s online ballot delivery site, https://ny.secureballotusa.com to
access your ballot.
▪ Questions? Call the State Board of Elections at 518-473-5086 or the
Federal Voter Assistance Program at 1-800-438-8683 or contact your
Voting Assistance Officer or US Embassy office.
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 postal
mail.
▪ 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
https://nysballot.elections.ny.gov/ to track when your ballot has been
received by your local county board of elections.
Military Deadlines
MILITARY DEADLINES FOR 2020 GENERAL ELECTION
(NOVEMBER 3)
Date Voter Registration
Last day for a board of elections to receive
Oct. 24 registration for military voter to be eligible to vote in
general. Sec. 10-106(5). (10/24 Saturday)
Date Requesting Your Ballot
9Last day for a board of elections to receive
Oct. 24 application for ballot by mail if NOT previously
registered. Sec. 10-106(5). (10/24 Saturday)
Last day for a board of elections to receive
Oct. 27 application by mail if previously registered. Sec. 10-
106(5).
Last day to apply in-person if previously registered.
Nov. 2
Sec. 10-106(5).
Date Returning Your Ballot
Last day to postmark ballot. Must be received by the
Nov. 2 local board of elections no later than November
16th. Sec. 10-114(1),
Federal Voting (Special Federal Voters/UOCAVA)
Qualifications
United States citizens living outside of the United States 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 be otherwise entitled to vote in
based on your New York address.
Registering/Applying for a Ballot
▪ To register as a new special federal 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.
10▪ You can visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program Website or
the Military and Overseas Federal Voting 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://ny.secureballotusa.com 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 518-473-5086 or the
Federal Voter Assistance Program at 1-800-438-8683 or contact your
US Embassy office.
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 postal
mail.
▪ 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.
11Federal Deadlines
DEADLINES FOR OVERSEAS (FEDERAL) VOTERS FOR 2020
GENERAL ELECTION (NOVEMBER 3)
Date Voter Registration
Last day for a board of elections to receive registration
Oct. 9 application for Special Federal voter to be eligible to
vote in general election. Sec. 11-202(1).
Date Requesting Your Ballot
Last day for a board of elections to receive application
Oct. 9 for Special Federal voter for absentee ballot by mail if
NOT previously registered. Sec. 11-202(1).
Last day for a board of elections to receive application
Oct. 27 for Special Federal voter for absentee ballot by mail if
previously registered. Sec. 11-204(4).
Date Returning Your Ballot
Last day to postmark ballot Special Federal return
Nov. 2 ballot. Must be received by the local board of elections
no later than November 16th. Sec. 11-212.
Your Right to Vote in New York State
• College Students
Am I really a resident of my college community?
Students live in their college towns anywhere from nine to 12 months of the
year. The U.S. Census Bureau considers students to be residents of their
college community.
12What are the reasons for registering and voting in my college
community?
You should consider that you have a stake in the local issues of your
college community such as off-campus housing, zoning restrictions, your
personal safety, the environment and transportation. Voting in your college
community is more convenient and relieves you of the need to apply for
and return an absentee ballot. If you consider the college community to be
your primary residence, you should register to vote in that community.
What are the reasons for registering at my home address?
If you don’t consider your college community your primary residence and/or
you have a special interest in the local issues at your home address, you
have a good reason for voting there. If this is the case, just remember that
in order for your vote to be counted at your home address, you must be
registered at that address and be aware of absentee ballot regulations and
procedures.
Otherwise to be eligible to vote, you must:
● be a United States citizen
● be 18 years old (note: 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 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
● have registered to vote
*See page on Individuals with Criminal Convictions.
13If you are not on the rolls at your polling place:
Your polling place is where you vote. If you believe you are registered to
vote and are not on the rolls (your name is not there), ASK for an “affidavit”
(paper) ballot. You are legally entitled to a paper ballot and MUST be given
one at which time you can then complete your ballot and put it in a sealed
envelope. The poll worker will give the sealed envelope to the BOE. You
may also ask the poll worker for advisement about following up on your
status or go to https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov/
To check your voter registration status:
You should receive in the mail before the election, a card that informs you
of your polling place. If you do not receive a card, call your local Board of
Elections and ask them:
1. Am I registered to vote?
2. Is my registration status set to “Active”? If not, to what is it set?
3. Will my name appear in the polling place roll book on Election Day?
How do I register to vote?
You need to fill out and submit a Voter Registration Form. You may register
in person at your local board of elections or at any state agency
participating in the National Voter Registration Act, on any business day
throughout the year. You may register by mail. Forms are available from
your county board of elections, town and city halls, post office, political
parties, various state offices and the League of Women Voters.
To obtain a Voter Registration Form or Absentee Ballot Application Form,
for registering, for filing absentee ballot applications and submitting ballots:
● Call the NYS BOE at 1-800-367-8683, or download the
forms/calendar from the web site for the NYS Board of Elections
(http://www.elections.state.ny.us/).
14● Call, write to, or download forms/calendar from the web site for your
local BOE. You can get their contact information from the NYS BOE.
• Homeless Individuals
Do homeless people have the right to vote?
YES. In 1984 a federal court in New York explicitly found that homeless
persons could not be denied the right to vote just because they did not live
in a traditional residence.
What should I say is my home/mailing address on the registration
form?
● Enter the location of where you stay at night, which can be a street
corner, a park, a shelter, a bus station or any other location
● This address will be used to assign an appropriate polling location
● You must provide a mailing address so that voter notification cards
and other election materials may be sent to you
● The address you give as your mailing address may be that of a local
advocacy organization, shelter, outreach center, or anywhere else
willing to accept mail on your behalf
● Your mailing address does not have to be your residential address
Otherwise to be eligible to vote, you must:
● be a United States citizen
● be 18 years old by December 31 of the year in which you register
(note: you must be 18 years old by the date of the general primary or
other election in which you want to vote; you may pre-register at 16 or
17 but cannot vote until you are 18)
15● live at your present address (as described above) at least 30 days
before an 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
● have registered to vote
*See page on Individuals with Criminal Convictions.
If you are not on the rolls at your polling place:
Your polling place is where you vote. If you believe you are registered to
vote and are not on the rolls (your name is not there), ASK for an “affidavit”
(paper) ballot. You are legally entitled to a paper ballot and MUST be given
one at which time you can then complete your ballot and put it in a sealed
envelope. The poll worker will give the sealed envelope to the BOE. You
may also ask the poll worker for advisement about following up on your
status or go to https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov/
To check your voter registration status:
You should receive in the mail before the election, a card that informs you
of your polling place. If you do not receive a card, call your local Board of
Elections and ask them:
1. Am I registered to vote?
2. Is my registration status set to “Active”? If not, to what is it set?
3. Will my name appear in the polling place roll book on Election Day?
How do I register to vote?
You need to fill out and submit a Voter Registration form.
16You may register in person at your local board of elections or at any state
agency participating in the National Voter Registration Act, on any business
day throughout the year. You may register by mail. Forms are available
from your County BOE, town and city halls, post office, political parties,
various state offices and the League of Women Voters.
To obtain a Voter Registration Form or Absentee Ballot
Application form, or to find out dates for the elections, for
registering, for filing absentee ballot applications and submitting
ballots:
● Call the NYS BOE at 1-800-367-8683, or download the
forms/calendar from the web site for the NYS BOE
(http://www.elections.state.ny.us/).
● Call, write to, or download forms/calendar from the web site for your
local BOE. You can get their contact information from the NYS BOE.
● Call your local LWV, or the LWV of NYS at 518-465-4162 or toll free
at 1-866-598-6971, or go to our website at http://www.lwvny.org/
• Individuals with Disabilities
Can I count on voting at a local polling place if I am physically
disabled?
Polling places in New York State are required to be accessible, but polling
places may apply for and be granted an exemption from this requirement
for various reasons. If you are assigned to a polling place that is not
accessible, you can apply to have your registration records moved to an
accessible polling place that has the same ballot.
17Can I vote if I can’t get out to a polling place?
Yes, you can vote by *absentee ballot. You must first obtain an application
for an absentee ballot from the board of elections, fill it out, and mail it in.
You can call and ask them to send you one, or print it from their web page
at www.elections.state.ny.us They will mail your absentee ballot before the
election.
*See How do I register to vote?
Will there be voting machines at the polling place that are
accessible to people with various handicaps?
There will be at least one accessible ballot-marking device per polling
place. These devices enable *individuals with disabilities, who cannot use a
lever machine or mark a paper ballot, to create a marked paper ballot for
casting their vote. *Individuals with disabilities include: voters who cannot
see, voters with some form of visual impairment, voters who are unable to
use a pen, and voters with limited manual dexterity.
Otherwise to be eligible to vote, you must:
● be a United States citizen
● be 18 years old by December 31 of the year in which you register
(note: you must be 18 years old by the date of the general primary or
other election in which you want to vote; 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 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
● have registered to vote
*See page on Individuals with Criminal Convictions.
18If you are not on the rolls at your polling place:
Your polling place is where you vote. If you believe you are registered to
vote and are not on the rolls (your name is not there), ASK for an “affidavit”
(paper) ballot. You are legally entitled to a paper ballot and MUST be given
one at which time you can then complete your ballot and put it in a sealed
envelope. The poll worker will give the sealed envelope to the BOE. You
may also ask the poll worker for advisement about following up on your
status or go to https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov/
To check your voter registration status:
You should receive in the mail before the election, a card that informs you
of your polling place. If you do not receive a card, call your local Board of
Elections and ask them:
1. Am I registered to vote?
2. Is my registration status set to “Active”? If not, to what is it set?
3. Will my name appear in the polling place roll book on Election Day?
How do I register to vote?
You need to fill out and submit a Voter Registration Form. You may register
in person at your local BOE or at any state agency participating in the
National Voter Registration Act, on any business day throughout the year.
You may register by mail. Forms are available from your county BOE, town
and city halls, post office, political parties, state offices and the LWV.
19To obtain a Voter Registration Form or Absentee Ballot
Application form, or to find out dates for the elections, for
registering, for filing absentee ballot applications and submitting
ballots:
● Call the NYS BOE at 1-800-367-8683, or download the
forms/calendar from the web site for the NYS BOE
(http://www.elections.state.ny.us/).
● Call, write to, or download forms/calendar from the web site for your
local county board of elections. You can get their contact information
from the NYS Board of Elections.
• Individuals with Mental Health
Disabilities
Do I have the right to vote if I have a mental health problem?
YES. According to New York State election law, if you are otherwise
eligible to vote, you are only prevented from voting if you have been
adjudged “incompetent” or “incapacitated to vote” by order of a court.
If you are not sure of your legal right to vote, the board of elections (BOE)
will check your status after you file your registration form. BOE will inform
you of any considerations.
Otherwise to be eligible to vote, you must:
● be a United States citizen
● be 18 years old by December 31 of the year in which you register
(note: you must be 18 years old by the date of the general primary or
other election in which you want to vote; you may pre-register at 16 or
17 but cannot vote until you are 18)
20● 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
● have registered to vote
*See page on Individuals with Criminal Convictions.
If you are not on the rolls at your polling place:
Your polling place is where you vote. If you believe you are registered to
vote and are not on the rolls (your name isn’t there), ASK for an “affidavit”
(paper) ballot. You are legally entitled to a paper ballot and MUST be given
one at which time you can then complete your ballot and put it in a sealed
envelope. The poll worker will give the sealed envelope to the BOE. You
may also ask the poll worker for advisement about following up on your
status or go to https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov/
To check your voter registration status:
You should receive in the mail before the election, a card that informs you
of your polling place. If you do not receive a card, call your local Board of
Elections and ask them:
1. Am I registered to vote?
2. Is my registration status set to “Active”? If not, to what is it set?
3. Will my name appear in the polling place roll book on Election Day?
How do I register to vote?
You need to fill out and submit a Voter Registration Form. You may register
in person at your local BOE or at any state agency participating in the
21National Voter Registration Act, on any business day throughout the year.
You may register by mail. Forms are available from your county BOE, town
and city halls, post office, political parties, state offices and the LWV.
To obtain a Voter Registration form or Absentee Ballot Application
form, or to find out dates for the elections, for registering, for filing
absentee ballot applications and submitting ballots:
● Call the NYS BOE at 1-800-367-8683, or download the
forms/calendar from the web site for the NYS BOE
(http://www.elections.state.ny.us/).
● Call, write to, or download forms/calendar from the web site for your
local county board of elections. You can get their contact information
from the NYS BOE.
• Individuals with Criminal Convictions
and Those Detained in Jail or Prison
I have a criminal history. Am I eligible to vote?
According to New York State Election Law 5-106, individuals who are either
in jail/prison for a felony conviction OR are on parole for a felony
conviction cannot vote. While this means that some persons with criminal
convictions are legally prohibited from voting, the majority of individuals
with criminal histories can and should vote.
The following list has examples of individuals with criminal
histories who are eligible to register and vote:
● those convicted of a misdemeanor, not a felony
22● those currently in jail awaiting grand jury action, trial or disposition of
a case, but not yet convicted
● those convicted of a felony who do not receive a sentence of
imprisonment
● those who have a certificate of relief from disabilities
● those convicted of a felony who did receive a sentence of
incarceration, but who are no longer in prison and not on parole.
● anyone detained in jail for an offense other than a felony may request
an absentee ballot.
Can I vote if I’m on probation?
Yes. If you are otherwise qualified to vote, anyone who is on probation,
even if convicted of a felony, may register and vote in New York.
Do I have to have a Certificate of Relief from Disabilities or other
documentation about my criminal history in order to register to
vote?
No. You do not need to provide any documentation about your criminal
history in order to register.
Otherwise to be eligible to vote, you must:
● be a United States citizen
● be 18 years old by December 31 of the year in which you register
(note: you must be 18 years old by the date of the general primary or
other election in which you want to vote; 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 or on parole for a felony conviction* (unless parolee
pardoned or restored rights of citizenship)
23● not be adjudged mentally incompetent by a court
● not claim the right to vote elsewhere
● have registered to vote
*See page on Individuals with Criminal Convictions.
How do I register to vote?
You need to fill out and submit a Voter Registration Form. You may register
in person at your local board of elections or at any state agency
participating in the National Voter Registration Act, on any business day
throughout the year. You may register by mail. Forms are available from
your county board of elections, town and city halls, post office, political
parties, various state offices and the LWV.
To obtain a Voter Registration form or Absentee Ballot form, or to
find out dates for the elections, for registering, for filing absentee
ballot applications and submitting ballots:
● Call the NYS BOE at 1-800-367-8683, or download the
forms/calendar from the web site for the NYS BOE
(http://www.elections.state.ny.us/).
● Call, write to, or download forms/calendar from the web site for your
local BOE. You can get their contact information from the NYS BOE.
● Call your local LWV, or the League of Women Voters of New York
State at 518-465-4162 or toll free at 1-866-598-6971 or go to our web
site at http://www.lwvny.org/.
● Complete, sign, and submit the form, either in person or by mail.
24What address should I put on the voter registration form if I am in
jail?
If you are in jail or prison awaiting grand jury action or trial, or confined after
conviction for an offense other than a felony, you should register to vote in
the county of your permanent address. Put your permanent home address
on the registration form, not the address of the facility where you are
incarcerated.
To check your voter registration status:
You should receive, in the mail before the election, a card that informs you
of your polling place. If you do not receive such a card, call your local
board of elections and ask them:
1. Am I registered to vote?
2. Is my registration status set to “active”? If not, to what is it set?
3. Will my name appear in the polling place roll book on Election Day?
If you are not on the rolls at your polling place:
If you believe you are registered to vote and are not on the rolls, ASK for
an “affidavit” (paper) ballot, and ask the poll worker for advisement about
following up on your status. You are legally entitled to an “affidavit” (paper)
ballot and must be given one.
25Organ Donations
Contact Us at 1-866-NY-DONOR or
www.donatelife.ny.gov
General Information on Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation
The need for organ, eye and tissue donors is great. In the United States,
there are more than 112,000 people that need organ transplants. Each
year, thousands of people die because a donor cannot be found for them.
You can help.You have the power to Donate Life. All New Yorkers 16 years
old and up can register to save lives by signing up as an organ and tissue
donor. By joining the New York State Donate Life Registry, you record your
decision to be a donor. Your kindness could save eight lives through organ
donation, restore sight with cornea donations and improve 75 more lives
with tissue. It is easy to register and you can give someone a second
chance at life. It is illegal to give organs/tissues to a person based on
wealth, citizenship or celebrity status. It is illegal to buy or sell organs and
tissue in the United States.
THE NEED
New York has the lowest number of people registered to be organ donors
however we have the third highest need in the country. Every 20 hours a
New Yorker dies waiting for a transplant- that is over 400 deaths a year.
There are over 9,000 New Yorkers that need a life-saving organ transplant.
YOU CAN HELP
One organ donor can save 8 lives and help 75 more by donating tissue and
corneas. People any age and medical history can potentially be organ and
tissue donors. There are no diseases that automatically prevent you from
being a donor. All major religions support organ and tissue donation. There
is no cost to a donor’s family for organ and tissue donation.
26THE IMPACT OF DONATION
Donated organs, including the heart, pancreas, kidneys, liver, lungs, and
intestines can save someone’s life.
Tissue is used to replace bone, tendons, and ligaments lost to trauma,
cancer and other diseases.
Corneas are used to restore sight.
Skin grafts help burn patients heal, and often can save their life.
Heart valves repair heart defects and damage.
A living donor can give a kidney, one lung, a part of a liver, lung or
pancreas.
THE DONATION PROCESS
Consent for donation is confirmed by enrollment in the NYS Donate Life
Registry, by family or the person with the power to make decisions for the
potential donor. Family might be asked to give information about the
patient’s medical and personal history.
Organ and tissue recovery require surgery.
Donation does not usually change funeral arrangements, and an open
casket is possible.
Organs are matched to people using medical information like blood type,
body size and tissue. Recipients are found on a national waiting list
operated by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS).
27Helpful Websites
http://www.elections.state.ny.us/
www.elections.ny.gov
www.lwvsaratoga.org
https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov/
enforcement@elections.ny.gov
vote411.org
Addenda:
• Congressional and District Maps
https://www.latfor.state.ny.us/maps/
• NYS Voter Registration Form
English form Spanish form
• NYS State Absentee Ballot Application
English form Spanish form
288/26/20
• New for GENERAL ELECTION 2020
Governor Cuomo has signed into law absentee voting expansions in New
York State, ensuring that every vote counts.
All New York State voters can now:
Apply to vote by Absentee Ballot more than 30 days ahead of the election
All Boards of Elections must count:
All Absentee Ballots using the temporary illness cause (temporary illness
includes being unable to appear due to risk of contracting or spreading a
communicable disease like COVID-19).
All Absentee Ballots that have a time stamp showing it was delivered to the
Board of Elections the day after the election, but does not have a visible
dated postmark
All Absentee Ballots postmarked on or before Election Day, Nov 3, 2020
and received within 7 days after Election Day
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