FAQ on the June 23 New York Elections

 

I’ve heard that New York’s primary was canceled. Are there still elections happening on June 23?

Yes, elections are happening on June 23! The primary elections previously planned for Congress, state Assembly, and state Senate will be held. In addition, there will be primary elections for two municipal offices: Queens Borough President and City Council District 37. All in all, the vast majority of New York City neighborhoods will have at least one primary election on June 23.

For now, New York’s Presidential Primary will also occur on June 23, though a recent court decision about this is subject to appeal. A handful of special elections for state and municipal offices were canceled. But there are still primaries happening for these offices.

Which elections were canceled?

Governor Andrew Cuomo has issued an Executive Order canceling all special elections scheduled for June 23, including special elections in the state assembly and senate, for Queens Borough President, and for the City Council 37th district seat.

How do I find out if there is an election happening in my area?

NYC residents can visit whosontheballot.org to view their ballot 30 days prior to election day.

How do I vote in the June 23 primaries?

The polls will be open on June 23, and for early voting from June 13 through June 21. In addition, all New Yorkers can vote by mail on June 23. 

Will there be early voting for the June 23 election?

Yes! In-person, Early Voting will be available from Saturday, June 13 through Sunday, June 21.

What is the process for voting by mail?

There are a few steps you need to take to vote by mail in the June election:

1. Request your mail-in ballot, by submitting an absentee ballot application by June 16. 
2. Receive your absentee ballot at the address you included on the application form
3. Fill out your absentee ballot at home, using blue or black ink.
4. Mail in your completed ballot to your county Board of Elections by June 22, using the postage-paid envelope you will receive with the ballot. 

You can also bring your absentee ballot to a Board of Elections office or poll site in person, but we recommend using the mail so you can stay home and minimize in-person contact.

How do I request an absentee ballot?

To request an absentee ballot, you must submit an absentee ballot application. The Governor has announced that the Board of Elections will mail all New Yorkers a postage-paid absentee ballot application. 

Other ways to request an absentee ballot:

• Online at nycabsentee.com
• Email a completed application to AbsenteeJune2020@boe.nyc 
• Call 1-866-VOTE-NYC (1-866-868-3692)
• Mail a completed application to your borough’s BOE office
• Fax a completed application to 212-487-5349

What do I write as my reason for requesting an absentee ballot?

You should indicate that the reason is “temporary illness” (the definition of which has been expanded to cover the risk of contracting the coronavirus, per the NYS Board of Elections website).

How do I cast an absentee ballot?

Complete the ballot using blue or black ink. You must use the return envelope provided with the ballot and sign the back of the envelope as instructed.

Ballots must be postmarked by June 22. The ballot mailed to you by the Board of Elections will include pre-paid return postage. 

Where do I send my completed absentee ballot?

No matter how you request your absentee ballot application, you must return that application by mail to your county Board of Elections. 

Bronx

1780 Grand Concourse, 5 Fl

Bronx, NY 10457

Brooklyn

345 Adams Street, 4 Fl

Brooklyn, NY 11201

Queens

118-35 Queens Boulevard, 11 Fl

Forest Hills, NY 11375

Manhattan

200 Varick Street, 10 Fl

New York, NY 10014

Staten Island

1 Edgewater Plaza, 4 Fl

Staten Island, NY 10305

What happens if I don’t have enough postage to mail my absentee ballot application or absentee ballot?

USPS has a policy of always delivering absentee ballots and applications, even if they are short on or missing postage.

What are the voter registration deadlines?

• To vote in the primary, an individual must postmark a registration application by May 29 – it has to be received by the BOE by June 3.

• May 29 is also the last day to register in person at the BOE offices.

• A change of address will be processed if the BOE receives it by June 3.

How can I check my registration status, voting eligibility, and polling location for the June 23 election?

You can vote in the primary if there is an election in your district, held by a political party with which you are registered. You can click WhosOntheBallot to find out if you are eligible to vote. You can check your registration status and also confirm your polling location. 

How do I register to vote for the June 23 election?

Visit the New York City Board of Elections’ Registration page to download a registration form. Additionally, if you have a New York State driver’s license or DMV-issued nondriver’s identification card, visit New York’s DMV page to register to vote or update your registration online.

However, New York has closed primaries. Since all special elections have been canceled, to vote in the June 23 primary elections, you must be registered with a party to vote. If you’re not sure if you’re registered with a party, you can check your registration status here. 

Only voters registered with a party may vote in that party’s primary elections. One exception: the Independence party allows voters who are not enrolled in any other party to vote in certain primary elections.

The deadline for registered voters to newly register with a party or change party registration has passed. However, new registrations can be submitted through May 29.