Voting is a right of every New Yorker, not a privilege.
We all have the right to make our voices heard. Know your rights before you cast your vote so you can advocate for yourself and others.
What are my rights as a voter?
Registration
You are eligible to vote if you are:
- A registered voter
- At least 18 years old
- A US citizen
- In line at your poll site by the time it is scheduled to close
At your poll site
You have the right to:
- Ask a poll worker for help
- Use an interpreter if you need language assistance
- Bring any voting materials with you
- Vote even if the voting machine is broken
- Vote by affidavit ballot if your name is missing from the list of voters at your polling site
- Not show an ID if you are not a first time voter
At work
- You have the right to take two paid hours off from work at the beginning or end of your shift if polls are open for less than 4 hours before your shift starts and after it ends.
- That means on Election Day, you can take paid time off if you are scheduled to start work before 10am and end work after 5pm. You must notify your employer at least two days before you plan to vote.
Voting rights for people with a criminal or felony conviction
If you are currently on probation or parole, you have the right to vote.
- Misdemeanor and violation convictions do not prevent you from voting, even if you are serving time in jail.
- If you are currently incarcerated for a felony conviction, you are ineligible to vote. However, if you are convicted of a felony and your sentence is suspended, you can vote.
- If you are convicted of a felony and you are released from prison, you can vote. However, you must register to vote again. Register to vote.
- If you have a federal felony conviction or a felony conviction in another state, you may still register and vote in New York.
- If you are currently on probation or parole, you can vote.
- If you are currently in jail for a misdemeanor or are awaiting trial, you can vote.
