New York Voter Rights

Probably not, but bring it just to be safe. Only voters registering for the first time in NY may have to show ID at the polls in order to vote on the machine or submit your ballot into the machine/scanner. All that is required is “current and valid photo identification” with your name and picture. Government documents, utility bills, or bank statements with your name and address are also acceptable. It is always your right to vote on a paper affidavit ballot, even if you have no ID or your ID is rejected by poll workers. Contact your local Board of Elections or NYPIRG for more info.

Yes. If you registered at an old address, but have moved to another address within NYS, you can vote without having to re-register. Go to the polling site for your new address. You have the right to vote on a paper “affidavit ballot.” If you have questions, ask the poll worker for the voting rights flyer that details this and other rights. If you happen to have moved nearby and are still within the same Election District, you can cast your ballot using the scanner/machine.

Yes. If you are “not in the book,” make sure the poll worker double checks that you are at the correct table and site. If your name is not on the list, or your signature is missing, you have a right to vote by a paper “affidavit ballot.” You will be asked to sign an oath saying you are registered, mark a paper ballot, and seal it in an envelope. Elections officials will later check their records to see if you are registered and at the right poll site. If yes, your vote will be cast. If not, you will receive a notice. If you have questions, ask the poll worker for a “voting rights” flyer; they are required to have one. The flyer will also tell you about your right to get a court order to vote on a machine. You can vote even if you recently moved within NYS. You need to be registered in a political party to vote in their primary election.

Yes. You have the right to vote by a paper “emergency ballot.” Make sure you fill in the circle for your candidate completely. It should be returned to the poll workers who should put it in a special box. It will be opened and counted that night just as if it were on the machine. You can also come back later and see if the machine has been repaired if you haven’t ‘checked in’ yet at your table.

Yes. You have the right to have anyone you choose assist you to cast your vote, as long as it’s not your union representative or employer. You can also ask for a pair of poll workers—a Democrat and a Republican— to assist you. Every poll site also has ballot marking devices that are accessible to voters with disabilities. All voters are allowed to use them.

Some polling sites in New York State are required to have multi-lingual ballots and poll site materials, and translators fluent in Spanish, Chinese, Korean and/or Bengali. Your local Board of Elections can tell you if your site is covered.