How to Vote

To Vote You Must:

Be a United States Citizen;

Be 18 years old by the date of the election in which you want to vote.

Live at your present address for at least 30 days before that election; and

BE REGISTERED TO VOTE.

HOW TO REGISTER: In person at your county board of elections or at any New York State agency-based voter registration center or by mail.

Your registration is permanent unless you have moved. Name, address or party changes can be made by submitting a new registration application to your county board of elections. (Change of party enrollment goes into effect after the following general election.)

Registration and Absentee Voting Deadlines: The current year election calendar lists deadlines for applications.

Registration by Mail: Forms are available from the web site of the New York State Board of Elections (http://www.elections.state.ny.us), your county board of elections, town and city halls, post office, political parties, various state offices, and the League of Women Voters. You may obtain a Registration form by clicking here.......Registration Form ( You will need an Adobe Reader to download a form).  Or download a form and information from the NYS site.

Registration in Person: You may register at your local board of elections or at any state agency participating in the National Voter Registration Act, on any business day throughout the year.

What if You Move? Notices of change of address from registered voters received by  your county board of elections must be processed and entered in the records for the general election. Under the provisions of the National Voter Registration Act, if you move within your county and have not had the opportunity to notify the board of elections, you can go to the polling place in your new location and vote by affidavit ballot. This ballot will be sent to the board of elections which verifies the new address. Once verified, the vote will be counted and the change of address noted.

Not Sure if You Are Registered? Call your county board of elections - Broome (607)778-2172 or Tioga at (607) 687-8261.

Don't Know Where to Vote? Most boards of elections in New York State send a postcard noting that you are registered and telling you the location of your polling place. If you do not receive this postcard, call your county board of elections - Broome (607)778-2172 or Tioga (607) 687-8261 - to verify your registration and the location of your polling place.

Not Going To Be Home on Election Day? Can't Get to the Polls? You Need an ABSENTEE BALLOT.

Registration and Absentee Voting Deadlines: The current year election calendar lists deadlines for applications.

If you are a registered voter but will be away from your county on Election Day or will be unable to go to your polling place because of illness or disability, you can request an absentee ballot from your county board of elections or download one from the New York State Board of Elections Web site. You may download an Absentee Ballot by clicking here.... ---> Absentee Ballot

Upon completion, applications must be mailed or delivered to your county board of elections. Once it has received your application, your county board of elections will mail or give the ballot to you.

Military voters: Your county board of elections must receive the absentee ballot application from military persons who have not previously registered.

At the Polling Place: A sample ballot is posted. If you do not know how to use the voting machine, ask one of the election inspectors for assistance. If your name does not appear in the polling book and you believe you are eligible to vote in the district, you may vote by affidavit ballot. After validation by your county board of elections, your paper ballot will be counted.