Your Voting Rights
Having a disability or a legal guardian does not take away your right to vote. If you're registering to vote for the first time, visit our First-Time Voters page to learn about voter eligibility and registration. If you're already registered, this page explains the accessible voting options available to you.
Voting In Person with a Ballot Marking Device
Ballot marking devices (BMDs) are available at all poll sites to help voters fill out their ballots during early voting and on Election Day. These devices can be helpful to voters who are visually impaired or have a disability or condition that makes it difficult or impossible to mark a ballot with a pen. Any voter can request to use a BMD.
You can use a BMD to see your ballot on a display screen, listen to your choices through headphones, or translate your ballot into additional languages. If you’d like to use a BMD, just ask a poll worker!
The device provides four ways to mark your ballot:
- Touch screen
- Sip-and-puff device
- Keypad (Braille)
- Rocker paddle
The NYC Board of Elections explains how to use the features on ballot marking devices.
Requesting an Accessible Ballot in NYC
If you are visually impaired or cannot mark a paper ballot, you can vote by mail. Accessible ballots can be read by a screen reader and completed on a computer. You can request an accessible ballot from the NYC Board of Elections.
You can use your personal adaptive technology to mark and print your accessible ballot from home. To vote with an accessible ballot, you must print out your ballot before returning it to the Board of Elections.
Accessible Voting FAQs
Are all poll sites in NYC accessible?
Yes! The NYC Board of Elections ensures that every poll site in the city is accessible to all voters during early voting and Election Day. If there are any issues with your poll site, you can contact the Board of Elections at 1-866-VOTE-NYC (212-487-5496).
I have a legal guardian. Can I still register and vote in NYC?
Yes. Having a legal guardian does not automatically prevent you from registering or voting in New York City. You retain the right to vote unless a court order explicitly declares you are not able to vote.
What if I can't get to my poll site because of my disability?
If your disability prevents you from getting to your poll site, you can vote from home using a mail ballot. If your illness or disability is permanent, you can apply to the Board of Elections for permanent absentee status, which will allow you to automatically receive an application for an absentee ballot in every election.
Can a poll worker or friend help me mark my ballot?
Yes. You can bring someone to help you vote as long as they are not your employer or union representative. You can also ask a poll worker for help.
Related Resources
- Poll site accessibility: See how the ADA ensures polling place accessibility and what accommodations are available for voters with disabilities.
- Requesting an ASL interpreter: Submit a request for sign language interpretation at your poll site in NYC.
- Voting rights: Get more information about your rights as a voter, including your rights at the poll site.
