A Toolkit for Candidates
Voting Guidelines & Rules.
Engaging Voters with Disabilities
Important Dates
Statistics from the CDC
WHO WE ARE.
Disability Rights New York’s (DRNY) Protection and Advocacy for Voting Access (PAVA) was created by U.S. Congress through the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002. We advocate to ensure every New Yorker can vote in every election.
DRNY works to safeguard each step of the voting process, making sure it is accessible to people with disabilities. We advocate for your right to vote and work to remove barriers in New York’s voting program. We are helping voters with and without disabilities have a voice in our democracy.
PAVA provides the following services:
Help New Yorkers register to vote.
Ensure that people, regardless of disability, have the opportunity to vote.
Provide training and education programs to increase informed voting in the community.
Inform people of their voting rights.
Provide individual and systemic advocacy to address barriers and problems in New York State’s voting program.
VOTER REGISTRATION
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN NEWYORK STATE
Be a U.S. Citizen;
Live at your current address for at least 30 days before elections;
Be 18 years old on or before the date of the election; and
Submit your Voter Registration Form prior to the voter registration deadline.
Voting With A Criminal Record
People with Felony Convictions CAN vote if:
You are living in the community, OR
You are on probation; OR
You are on parole.
DOCCS staff must give you the opportunity to register to vote at the time of your release from state prison.
People in prison serving a felony sentence CANNOT vote.
People in jail for a misdemeanor, violation conviction, or awaiting felony trial CAN vote using an Absentee Ballot.
You MUST be a registered voter in the county where you currently reside to vote in upcoming elections.
Individuals under guardianship can vote unless a judge has ordered that the individual is not competent to vote.
ONLY A JUDGE can determine if someone is not competent to vote.
VOTER PRE-REGISTRATION
IMPORTANT STEPS ..
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You can pre-register to vote if you are 16 or 17 years old. You need to complete a voter registration form and send the form to your local Board of Elections office
If you pre-register to vote, you can vote in elections after you turn 18 years old
To be a registered voter in New York State, you must submit a voter registration form to the Board of Elections where you live
New York State is a closed primary state. This means that you have to be registered with a party (like Democrat, Republican, or Working Families) to vote in that party’s primary.
If you are registered to vote, you can vote during Early Voting or on Election Day.
Online: By Mail: In Person:
https://dmv.ny.gov/more-info/electronicvoter-registration-application.
(Formsavailablehere)
https://elections.ny.gov/voterregistration-process
Find your local Board of Elections Office at https://www.elections.ny.gov/ CountyBoards.html
HOW TO ORGANIZE A
VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE
How To Plan.
HOST IN MANY PLACES,
INCLUDING:
Schools; Sporting events; Grocery stores; Farmers markets; Libraries; Subway or bus stations; Place with lots of foot traffic.
PLAN AHEAD.
Contact the manager or staff where you want to set up your Voter Registration Drive at least several weeks in advance Popular locations/events may require more planning.
PICK A BUSY TIME OF DAY
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The location and time of your Voter Registration Drive can affect turnout
What You Need.
The
Essentials:
Voter Registration Forms;
Print forms on LEGAL SIZE paper found here: https://elections.ny.gov/voter-registration-process
OR;
Request forms from DRNY or your local Board of Elections Office to be sent by mail
Clipboards;
Blue or black ink pens;
Education Materials about your organization and the NYS voting laws; White envelopes for completed forms.
The Extras:
Table; Tablecloth or Banner; Decorations and Giveaways.
SUBMIT COMPLETED
VOTER REGISTRATION FORMS
Offer to review forms to ensure it is fully completed
Seal completed form using an envelope or self-seal sticker (available on state-issued forms);
Address and stamp the registration form or envelope to the local Board of Elections;
Send and expect a confirmation from the local Board of Elections in four or six weeks;
Check registration status online at: https://voterlookup. elections.ny.gov/
REMEMBER:
S Y ignour
VOTERREGISTRATIONFORM!
YOUR RIGHTS TO VOTE
As a voter with a disability, you have the right to:
Vote privately and independently.
An accessible polling place that is free of physical barriers.
Use an accessible voting machine to mark your ballot.
Get help with voting from a person of your choice.
Except your employer or union representative.
Request a provisional/affidavit ballot.
13 THINGS VOTERS WITH DISABILITIES NEED TO KNOW
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YOUR VOTE MATTERS
Elections are often determined by voter turnout, and a handful of votes can change the outcome of an election. There are over 38 million eligible voters with disabilities, making the disability community a substantial voting bloc with the capacity to impact elections and policy making.
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE INDEPENDENTLY AND PRIVATELY
You have the right to make independent choices about voting and to cast a ballot without any interference You have the right to do so privately and to keep your vote secret.
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YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO GET HELP WITH VOTING.
Help can be provided by a friend, family member, caregiver, a service provider, or a poll worker The only people who cannot help you mark or cast your ballot are representatives of your employer or union
ONLY A JUDGE CAN DECIDE SOMEONE IS NOT COMPETENT TO VOTE.
Election officials and poll workers cannot stop you from voting because of your disability Staff in hospitals, nursing homes, and other institutions cannot refuse to allow residents to register and vote or to obtain absentee ballots.
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YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE BY ABSENTEE BALLOT.
An absentee ballot enables you to mail in your vote, or deliver your ballot early, instead of appearing at a polling site on Election Day. You can call 1-800-FORVOTE (1-800-367-8683) to request an absentee ballot application or download one at www.elections.ny.gov/VotingAbsentee.html.
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO AN ACCESSIBLE POLLING PLACE.
The Americans with Disabilities Act requires all polling sites to meet accessibility standards. Those standards ensure equal access for people with disabilities, including voters who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices or who are blind or have vision loss
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO USE A BALLOT MARKING DEVICE (BMD)
The Help America Vote Act requires all polling sites to have working BMDs. A BMD is an accessible voting machine that allows individuals with low vision, limited dexterity, physical impairments, or other disabilities to mark their ballot privately and independently. You do not need to have a disability to use a BMD. Using a BMD can be helpful because it provides audio instructions for the voting process.
IT’S EASY TO REGISTER!
You can call 1-800-FOR-VOTE (1-800-367-8683) to request a voter registration form and to inquire about registration deadlines. You can also visit https://elections.ny.gov/voter-registration-process to download a voter registration form and access other voting information To check your registration status visit voterlookup.elections.ny.gov/
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YOU MUST SHOW UP AT THE RIGHT POLLING PLACE
You can identify your polling site by calling or visiting
1-800-FOR-VOTE (1-800367-8683) voterlookup. elections.ny.gov/.
YOU DON’T NEED A GOVERNMENT-ISSUED ID TO VOTE.
Most voters are not required to present identification when voting in New York. If you are voting for the first time in New York and did not provide any identification information when you registered, you may be asked to provide some verification of your identity, such as a photo ID, a utility bill, a bank statement, a paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address.
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO A PROVISIONAL BALLOT.
If you are asked for identification and cannot provide it, or if there are any other problems with your registration, you can ask the poll worker for a provisional/ affidavit ballot. A provisional/affidavit ballot allows you to cast your vote pending verification of your eligibility.
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE INFORMED VOTING DECISIONS.
It’s important to learn about the issues and candidates before voting. You can visit the following sites to learn about ballot measures and candidates, and to find out about upcoming debates or forums:
Justfacts.votesmart.org Ballotpedia.org. Vote411.org/new-york
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO FILE COMPLAINTS ABOUT ACCESSIBILITY
If you believe that your right to equal access to voting has been violated, you can file a complaint with the New York State Board of Elections. If you experience any issues related to being a voter with a disability, please contact Disability Rights New York at mail@drny.org or 1-800-993-8982
YOUR VOTE MATTERS!
THE NYS PRIMARY ELECTION IS JUNE 24, 2025
THE GENERAL ELECTION IS NOVEMBER 4, 2025
Here are all the ways you can cast your ballot in New York State:
In-Person Voting
You can vote in-person on Election Day or during early voting for the Primary Election and General Election. June 14 - 22, 2025
General Election Early Voting:
Primary Election Early Voting: October 25 - November 2, 2025
Poll locations are open from 6am-9pm on Election Day.
Absentee Voting
You can request an absentee ballot today from your County or State Board of Elections. Forms are available on the NYS Board of Elections website: https://elections.ny.gov/requestballot
County Board of Elections should also have the absentee ballot request form available on their website or by contacting them directly.
You can apply online, by mail or email, or fax a completed absentee ballot application or letter request to your County Board of Elections office for the Primary Election no later than June 14, 2025, and the General Election no later than October 25, 2025.
If you miss this deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail, you can go to your County Board of Elections office and request an absentee ballot in person for the Primary Election no later than June 23, 2025, and for the General Election no later than November 3, 2025
Voters who request an absentee ballot will be mailed a ballot, instructions, a return envelope, and an “oath envelope” that must be signed before mailing it back. It is important to read the instructions carefully before returning your absentee ballot.
Voters should get their absentee ballot requests and completed ballots in the mail as soon as possible Delays in the US Postal Service’s delivery may impact timely delivery
Accessible Absentee Voting
If you have a disability that prevents you from voting using a paper absentee ballot, you can request an electronically delivered and markable ballot from your County Board of Elections. Voters with disabilities must first complete the accessible absentee ballot request form, found here: https://ballotapplication.elections.ny.gov/ home/accessible, and also available through every County Board of Elections office.
After requesting an accessible absentee ballot, voters will then receive by email an accessible absentee ballot that can be marked using a screen reader and other common assistive technologies.
Voters will receive in the mail a return envelope, an oath envelope, and instructions from their County Board of Elections.
The Accessible Absentee Ballot is not fully accessible.
Voters must still print their marked ballot and send it back to the County Board of Elections office. Your completed ballot must be mailed to your County BOE.
Addresses found here: https://publicreporting.elections.ny.gov/CountyBoardRoster/ CountyBoardRoster.
IMPORTANT DATES
New York 2025 Elections
CHANGE PARTY ENROLLMENT
February 14, 2025
PRIMARY ELECTION*
Voter registration deadline.
Early voting.
June 24, 2025.
June 14, 2025
*Your county may host Primary Elections on a different day. Check with your County Board of Elections for more info. June 14-22, 2025
GENERAL ELECTION
Voter registration deadline
Early voting
November 4, 2025
October 25, 2025
October 25-November 2, 2025
THE LAW
FOR NYS BOARDS OF EDUCATION
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New York State allows people 16 and 17 years olds to pre-register to vote, meaning they will be automatically registered to vote in all elections beginning on their 18th birthday.
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As part of the law, New York State Boards of Education are required to adopt policies to promote student voter registration and pre-registration in schools.
New York State Election Law 5-507(2) sets forth the New York State Boards of Education’s responsibilities in voter registration and pre-registration, found at https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/ELN/5-507
STUDENT VOTER REGISTRATION PROGRAM IDEAS.
COLLABORATE,
Collaborate with your county Board of Elections office or League of Women Voters chapter to arrange opportunities at school to learn more about the electoral process.
ORGANIZE
Organize with your Board of Elections office a mockvoting experience on campus to familiarize students with the voting process.
DESIGNATE
Designate days to host voter registration drives during school hours
PROVIDE,
Provide voter registration and pre-registration information to students on a regular basis throughout the year educating on how to register to vote in New York.
INCORPORATE,
Incorporate voter registration and pre-registration information into subject-matter lesson planning
SCHOOL INCLUSION .
RESPONSIBILITIES
Include all students, including students with disabilities, in voter registration and pre-registration activities at school.
Provide all materials in accessible formats to effectively communicate with students with disabilities
Ensure that students who receive home instruction or off-site instruction receive invitations to attend voter registration and pre-registration programming.
Provide accessible educational information regarding students’ right to register and pre-register to vote to all students, including students receiving out-of-district services.
People with disabilities want to vote, and have a constitutional right to vote. Providing opportunities to learn about how to register and pre-register to vote in the same ways offered to non-disabled peers is the first step to empower students with disabilities in our democracy
