New York State Voting FAQ
CAN I VOTE?
Frequently Asked Questions by
People with Criminal Records
Can
I vote in New York if I'm on probation?
Yes.
Anyone who is on probation, even if convicted of a felony, may register and
vote in New York as long as they meet the other eligibility requirements
described below.
Can
I vote in New York if I've been convicted of a felony?
Maybe.
You may vote if you were convicted of a felony but not sentenced to serve time
in prison. You may also vote if you have already served your maximum prison
sentence, been discharged from parole, or been pardoned. You may not vote if you have been convicted of a felony and are
currently serving time in prison or are currently on parole.
Can
I vote in New York if I'm in jail?
Maybe.
You may vote if you were convicted of a misdemeanor or if you are charged with
a felony and are awaiting trial or disposition of your case.
What
are the other requirements to be eligible to vote in New York City?
At the time of the election,
you must be at least 18 years old, a United States citizen, and a New York
resident.
How
do I register to vote?
You must complete a voter registration form and sign
the sworn affirmation that is contained in the form. Then you must mail or
deliver the form to your local county Board of Elections. The address for the
New York City Board of Elections is 32 Broadway, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10004.
How
do I get a voter registration form?
Voter
registration forms are available at the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Board
of Elections and many other state agencies. In New York City, registration
forms should also be available at all city correctional facilities, probation
offices, community boards and other city agencies. They are also available on
the internet at www.vote.nyc.ny.us and www.elections.state.ny.us.
Do I have to have a Certificate of Relief from
Disabilities or other documentation about my criminal history in order to register to vote?
No. You do not need to
provide any documentation about your criminal history in order to register.
What
address should I put on the voter registration form if I am in jail?
You
should put your permanent home address on the registration form, not the
address of the facility where you are incarcerated.
How
do I vote if I'm in jail?
You
must request an absentee ballot from the Board of Elections. To obtain an
absentee ballot you must first submit an absentee ballot application. In New
York City, an application should be available at your facility, on the internet
at www.vote.nyc.ny.us, or you can call
1-866-VOTE-NYC. Outside of New York City, contact your local county Board of
Elections or visit www.elections.state.ny.us.
