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The New York Absentee Ballot Application form is a crucial document for voters who cannot attend polling places on election day. It allows individuals to request an absentee ballot for various reasons, including being out of the county, health issues, or caregiving responsibilities. The form requires applicants to provide personal information, such as their name, address, and the dates of their absence. Additionally, voters must specify the election for which they are requesting a ballot, whether it be a primary, general, or special election. There are strict deadlines for submitting the application, which must be delivered in person by the day before the election or received by mail no later than 15 days prior. Voters with permanent disabilities can benefit from automatic ballot delivery for future elections, simplifying the process. The application also includes provisions for those who cannot sign due to illness or disability, allowing them to make a mark that must be witnessed. Understanding these details is essential for ensuring that every eligible voter can participate in the electoral process, even when they cannot be physically present at the polls.

Similar forms

  • Voter Registration Form: Similar to the absentee ballot application, this form collects essential personal information, such as name, address, and date of birth, to verify a voter's eligibility. Both documents require a signature to confirm the authenticity of the information provided.
  • Federal Post Card Application (FPCA): Designed for military and overseas voters, the FPCA serves a similar purpose in requesting absentee ballots. Like the New York Absentee Ballot Application, it requires the applicant to provide personal details and specifies deadlines for submission.
  • Vote by Mail Application: This document allows voters to request a mail-in ballot for elections. Much like the absentee ballot application, it requires identification details and includes options for how the ballot will be delivered to the voter.
  • Provisional Ballot Application: This form is used when a voter’s eligibility is in question at the polls. It shares similarities with the absentee ballot application in that it collects personal information and requires a signature to validate the application process.
  • Change of Address Form: When a voter moves, this form must be submitted to update their registration. It parallels the absentee ballot application in that both require the individual to provide their previous and new addresses, ensuring accurate voter records.
  • Election Day Registration Form: This form allows voters to register and vote on the same day. Similar to the absentee ballot application, it gathers personal information and requires a signature to affirm the truthfulness of the details provided.
  • Ballot Request Form: Used in some jurisdictions, this form requests a specific ballot type for an election. Like the absentee ballot application, it necessitates personal information and outlines delivery options for the requested ballot.
  • Signature Verification Form: This document is often used to confirm a voter's identity when casting a ballot. It resembles the absentee ballot application in that it requires a signature for verification purposes, ensuring that the ballot cast is legitimate.
  • Election Observer Application: Individuals wishing to observe elections must fill out this form. Similar to the absentee ballot application, it collects personal information and requires a signature to validate the observer's request and credentials.

Form Preview

MM/DD/YYYY
!pplicant Must Sign Below

New York State !bsentee Ballot !pplication

Please print clearly; See detailed instructions/

To receive an absentee ballot: In-Person - Application must be personally delivered to your county board of elections not later than the day before the election. By Mail - Application must be received by your county board of elections not later than the 15th day before the election.

The ballot itself must either be personally delivered to the board of elections in your county no later than the close of polls on election day, or postmarked by a governmental postal service not later than the day of the election and received no later than 7 days after the election/

BOARD USE ONLY:

Town/City/Ward/Dist:

_________________________________

Registration No: ____________________

Party: ____________________________

voted in office

 

1/

I am requesting, in good faith, an absentee ballot due to (check one reason):

absence from county or New York ity on election day

resident or patient of a Veterans Health

 

temporary illness or physical disability

!dministration Hospital

 

permanent illness or physical disability

detention in jail/prison, awaiting trial, awaiting

 

duties related to primary care of one or more

 

action by a grand jury, or in prison for a conviction

 

individuals who are ill or physically disabled

 

of a crime or offense which was not a felony

 

 

 

 

 

2/

absentee ballot(s) requested for the following election(s) .

 

Primary Election only

General Election only

 Special Election only

!ny election held between these dates. absence begins. _____/_____/_____

absence ends. _____/_____/_____

MM/DD/YYYY

MM/DD/YYYY

3/

last name or surname

 

 

 

 

 

 

first name

 

 

 

 

middle initial

 

 

suffix

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4/

date of birth MM/DD/YYYY

 

county where you live

 

 

 

 

phone number (optional)

 

email (optional)

 

 

 

 

_____ /_____ /_____

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5/

address where you live (residence) street

apt

 

 

city

 

 

state

zip code

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6/

Delivery of Primary Election allot (check one)

 

 

Deliver to me in person at the board of elections

I authorize (give name)._______________________________________ to pick up my ballot at the board of elections/

 

Mail ballot to me at. (mailing address)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

street no/

street name

 

 

 

 

apt/

city

 

 

 

state

 

 

zip code

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7/

Delivery of General (or Special) Election allot (check one)

Deliver to me in person at the board of elections

I authorize (give name)._______________________________________ to pick up my ballot at the board of elections/

 

Mail ballot to me at. (mailing address)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

street no/

street name

 

 

 

 

apt/

city

 

 

 

state

 

 

zip code

8/

I certify that I am a qualified and a registered (and for primary, enrolled) voter- and that the information in this application is

true and correct and that this application will be accepted for all purposes as the equivalent of an affidavit and, if it contains a

 

material false statement, shall subject me to the same penalties as if I had been duly sworn/

 

Sign Here: X__________________________ Date ____/____/____

If applicant is unable to sign because of illness, physical disability or inability to read, the following statement must be executed. y my mark, duly witnessed hereunder, I hereby state that I am unable to sign my applica- tion for an absentee ballot without assistance because I am unable to write by reason of my illness or physical disability or because I am unable to read/ I have made, or have the assistance in making, my mark in lieu of my signature/ (No power of attorney or preprinted name stamps allowed/ See detailed instructions/)

Date ___/___/___ Name of Voter.____________________________________ Mark.___________________

MM/DD/YYYY

 

I, the undersigned, hereby certify that the above named voter affixed his or her mark to this application in my pres-

ence and I know him or her to be the person who affixed his or her mark to said application and understand that

this statement will be accepted for all purposes as the equivalent of an affidavit and if it contains a material false

statement, shall subject me to the same penalties as if I had been duly sworn/

_____________________________________________

______________________________________

_____________________________________________

(signature of witness to mark)

(address of witness to mark)

Board Use Only

 

 

2021 Absentee Ballot Application

Instructions:

Who may apply for an absentee ballot?

Each person must apply for themselves/ It is a felony to make a false statement in an application for an absentee ballot, to attempt to cast an illegal ballot, or to help anyone to cast an illegal ballot/

Information for military and overseas voters:

If you are applying for an absentee ballot because you or your family are in the military or because you currently reside overseas, do not use this application/ You are entitled to special legal provisions if you apply using the Federal Postcard !pplication (FPCA)/ For more information about military/overseas voting, contact your local board of elections or refer to the Military and Federal Voting sections at. http.//www/elections/ny/gov/Voting/html

Where and when to return your application:

Applications for an absentee ballot that will be delivered in-person at the county board of elections to the voter or an agent of the voter must be received not later than the day before the election. Applications for a ballot to be delivered by mail to the voter must be received at the county board of elections no later than 15 days before the election. If the address of your county board of elections is not provided on this form, contact information for your local election office can be found on the New York State oard of Elections’ website, under “ounty oards of Election” directory at. http.//www/elections/ny/gov/ountyoards/html

Options available to you if you have an illness or disability:

If you check the box indicating your illness or disability is permanent, once your application is ap- proved you will automatically receive a ballot for each election in which you are eligible to vote, without having to apply again/ You may sign the absentee ballot application yourself, or you may make your mark and have your mark witnessed in the spaces provided on the bottom of the appli- cation/ Please note that a power of attorney or printed name stamp is not allowed for any voting purpose/

When your ballot will be sent:

Your absentee ballot materials will be sent to you beginning 46 days before federal, state, county, city or town elections in which you are eligible to vote/ If you applied after this date, your ballot will be sent immediately after your completed and signed application is received and processed by your local board of elections/ If you provide dates in section 2, identifying the time frame within which you will be absent from your county or from the ity of New York, you will be sent a ballot for any primary, general, special election or presidential primary election which might occur during the time frame you have specified/ If you prefer, you may designate someone to pick up your ballot for you, by completing the required information in section 6 and/or section 7, as appropriate/ ontact your local county board of elections if you have not received your ballot/

Common mistakes

When filling out the New York Absentee Ballot Application form, many individuals make mistakes that can lead to delays or even the rejection of their application. One common error is failing to provide accurate personal information. It is essential to ensure that your last name, first name, and other identifying details are correct and match what is on your voter registration. A simple typo can cause complications in verifying your identity.

Another frequent mistake is misunderstanding the deadlines for submitting the application. The application must be delivered in-person to your county board of elections no later than the day before the election or received by mail no later than 15 days before the election. Missing these deadlines can result in not receiving your absentee ballot in time, leaving you unable to vote.

Many applicants also overlook the importance of signing the application. The form requires your signature to certify that the information provided is true and correct. Without this signature, the application cannot be processed. If you are unable to sign due to a physical disability, you must follow specific procedures to have your mark witnessed properly.

Additionally, applicants sometimes fail to indicate the correct reason for requesting an absentee ballot. The form provides several options, such as being out of the county on election day or having a permanent disability. Selecting the appropriate reason is crucial, as it affects your eligibility and the processing of your application.

Finally, some individuals neglect to check their mailing address for the ballot delivery. If you choose to have your ballot mailed, ensure that the address is complete and accurate. An incorrect mailing address can lead to your ballot being sent to the wrong location, preventing you from casting your vote.

More About New York Absentee Ballot Application

  1. What is the New York Absentee Ballot Application form?

    The New York Absentee Ballot Application form is a document that allows registered voters in New York to request an absentee ballot. This is particularly important for those who will not be able to vote in person on Election Day due to various reasons, such as being out of the county or state.

  2. How can I submit my absentee ballot application?

    You have two options for submitting your absentee ballot application:

    • In-Person: You can personally deliver your application to your county board of elections no later than the day before the election.
    • By Mail: If you choose to mail your application, it must be received by your county board of elections no later than 15 days before the election.
  3. When do I need to return my absentee ballot?

    The completed absentee ballot must be returned to the board of elections either by being personally delivered by the close of polls on Election Day or postmarked by a governmental postal service by Election Day and received no later than 7 days after the election.

  4. Who can apply for an absentee ballot?

    Any registered voter in New York can apply for an absentee ballot. However, each person must apply for themselves, as it is illegal to submit an application on behalf of someone else. Providing false information on the application is a serious offense.

  5. What if I have a permanent illness or disability?

    If you indicate that your illness or disability is permanent on your application, you will automatically receive an absentee ballot for each election in which you are eligible to vote. You will not need to reapply for future elections.

  6. Can someone else pick up my absentee ballot for me?

    Yes, you can authorize someone else to pick up your absentee ballot. To do this, you must provide the name of the person you are authorizing in the designated section of the application.

  7. What should I do if I haven't received my ballot?

    If you have applied for an absentee ballot and have not received it, you should contact your local county board of elections. They can provide you with the status of your application and ballot.

  8. What if I am in the military or overseas?

    If you are a military member or reside overseas, do not use the standard absentee ballot application. Instead, you should apply using the Federal Postcard Application (FPCA), which provides special legal provisions for military and overseas voters.

Misconceptions

There are several misconceptions surrounding the New York Absentee Ballot Application form. Understanding these can help ensure that voters navigate the absentee voting process smoothly. Here are nine common misconceptions:

  • Misconception 1: You can apply for an absentee ballot at any time.

    • In reality, applications must be received by your county board of elections no later than 15 days before the election if you are applying by mail. If you are delivering it in person, it must be submitted the day before the election.

  • Misconception 2: You can have someone else apply for an absentee ballot on your behalf.

    • Each voter must apply for themselves. It is illegal for anyone to submit an application for another person.

  • Misconception 3: You can vote absentee without a valid reason.

    • To receive an absentee ballot, you must check a valid reason on the application, such as being out of the county on election day or having a physical disability.

  • Misconception 4: You can submit a signed application electronically.

    • Applications must be submitted in person or by mail. Electronic submissions are not accepted.

  • Misconception 5: Your absentee ballot can be mailed to any address.

    • The ballot will only be mailed to the address you provide on the application. Make sure this address is correct and accessible.

  • Misconception 6: You can use a power of attorney to sign the absentee ballot application.

    • This is not allowed. The voter must sign the application themselves or make their mark in the presence of a witness.

  • Misconception 7: Once you apply for an absentee ballot, you don’t need to do anything else.

    • If your application is approved, you will receive a ballot for each election only if you have indicated a permanent disability. Otherwise, you must apply for each election.

  • Misconception 8: You can return your completed absentee ballot at any time.

    • The ballot must be returned by mail and postmarked by election day. It must also be received by the board of elections no later than seven days after the election.

  • Misconception 9: You can vote absentee if you are currently in the military without using this application.

    • Military and overseas voters should use the Federal Postcard Application (FPCA) instead of the New York Absentee Ballot Application.

By understanding these misconceptions, voters can better prepare for the absentee voting process and ensure their voices are heard.

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Key takeaways

Filling out and using the New York Absentee Ballot Application form can seem daunting, but understanding the key points can simplify the process. Here are some important takeaways to keep in mind:

  • Submit on Time: If you plan to apply in person, ensure your application reaches the county board of elections no later than the day before the election. For mail applications, submit them at least 15 days prior.
  • Choose Your Reason: Clearly indicate why you are requesting an absentee ballot. Options include being out of the county on election day, having a temporary or permanent illness, or other valid reasons.
  • Delivery Options: Decide how you want to receive your ballot. You can pick it up in person, authorize someone to collect it for you, or have it mailed to your address.
  • Certification Matters: Make sure to sign the application. If you cannot sign due to a disability, you may use a mark with a witness present, but no printed names or power of attorney is allowed.
  • Automatic Ballots for Permanent Disabilities: If you indicate a permanent illness or disability, you won’t need to apply for an absentee ballot for every election; you will automatically receive one for each election you are eligible to vote in.

By keeping these points in mind, you can navigate the absentee ballot application process more effectively. Always refer to the official New York State Board of Elections website for the most current information and resources.

New York Absentee Ballot Application: Usage Guide

Filling out the New York Absentee Ballot Application form is an important step to ensure you can vote even if you can’t be present on election day. Once you complete the form, you will need to submit it to your county board of elections by the specified deadlines. Follow these steps to fill out the application correctly.

  1. Print the form clearly. Make sure all information is legible.
  2. In the first section, check the box that corresponds to your reason for requesting an absentee ballot.
  3. Indicate the election(s) for which you are requesting an absentee ballot by checking the appropriate box.
  4. Fill in the dates indicating when your absence begins and ends.
  5. Provide your last name, first name, middle initial, and suffix in the designated fields.
  6. Enter your date of birth in the format MM/DD/YYYY.
  7. List the county where you live and include your phone number and email address, if you wish.
  8. Fill in your residential address, including street, apartment number (if applicable), city, state, and zip code.
  9. Choose how you would like to receive your absentee ballot for the Primary Election. You can select to receive it in person, authorize someone else to pick it up, or have it mailed to you.
  10. Repeat the previous step for the General (or Special) Election ballot delivery.
  11. Certify that you are a registered voter by signing the application and providing the date of your signature.
  12. If you are unable to sign due to illness or disability, complete the section that allows you to make your mark and have it witnessed.
  13. Have a witness sign and provide their address if you made your mark instead of signing.
⇓ New York Absentee Ballot Application PDF