In New York State, absentee (mail-in) ballots must be postmarked by Election Day, Nov. 3, and must reach the board of elections by Nov. 10. Voters can also hand-deliver ballots to an early voting site or an Election Day polling place, up to 9 p.m. on Election Day. The deadline to register to vote and to apply for a mail-in ballot was Oct. 24.
In New York State, absentee (mail-in) ballots must be postmarked by Election Day, Nov. 3, and must arrive at the board of elections by Nov. 10 to be counted. This is according to the key dates for the 2026 elections released by the New York State Attorney General's Office.
Because ballots dropped in a mailbox can sometimes be postmarked a day or more late, the Attorney General's Office recommends getting a free hand-canceled postmark at a U.S. Postal Service (USPS) counter. Voters can also deliver ballots in person. They can do so at early voting sites and board of elections offices in their home county or borough, and on Election Day at any polling place in their county until 9 p.m.
What Has Already Passed and What Remains
The deadlines to register to vote and to apply for a mail-in ballot (by mail or online) were Oct. 24. That was also the last day to register and vote at the same time. Voters who still need a mail-in ballot can apply in person at their local board of elections until Monday, Nov. 2.
Early voting runs through Sunday, Nov. 1. In-person voting on Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, and can be done only at one's assigned polling place. Voters who run into problems while voting can call the election hotline at 1-866-390-2992 or report them at electionhotline.ag.ny.gov. The hotline operates during the early voting period and on Election Day.