What Do I Need to Bring

New York does not require voters to show ID when they vote in person. However, if you are a first time voter, and you did not provide the required identification with your voter registration application, you will be asked for identification the first time you vote.  Acceptable identification includes but is not limited to:

• A driver’s license or department of motor vehicles non-driver photo ID card or other current and valid photo identification;
• A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows your name and address.

If you do not have any of these forms of ID, then you can still vote by affidavit ballot (see below).

What To Do If My Name Is Not on the Voter Rolls

If you have come to the correct poll site location, are registered to vote, but you cannot find your name on the voter rolls, you will still be able to vote.  First, validate that you are at the same correct poll site and that you are registered to vote.  Next, ask the poll worker for an Affidavit Ballot (known elsewhere as a provisional ballot). The poll worker will give you a paper ballot and an affidavit envelope. You should complete information required on the envelope, seal it and give it to the poll worker. Affidavit Ballots are forwarded to the Board of Elections. They will be counted once the Board confirms that you are registered to vote at the address you provided.

This could occur for a number of reasons. For instance, if you have not voted in the last two general federal elections (in November 2008 or November 2010) and/or you received a notice from the BOE asking that you confirm your registration status and address and you did not respond, your name may have been removed from the poll ledgers, and either put on inactive status or cancelled altogether.

Additional Election Day resources: 

• NYC Campaign Finance Board’s FAQs
• Election Protection’s NY Voter Checklist
• NYCLU Voting Rights Information