There is a lot of anxiety about voting in the 2026 Midterm Elections. Voting matters! It is our voice, our right and our power! People who care about their community, this country, and our place in the global economy and community need to get out to vote. The importance of exercising our voting rights has never been more important.
Voters have the right to vote free from fear and intimidation. State and federal laws prohibit sending ICE or other armed federal agents to the polls. Voter intimidation — including by federal, state, and local officials — is illegal under federal laws. (Brennan Center)
Are you anxious about the Mid-term Elections? Protect Democracy has a great FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) on the process, the laws, and what can and cannot be done.
Listen to on-site Interviews of Troy Indivisible Members during the Stand-Out for Voting on October 17.
If you see any irregularities on Election Day or at the polling places for Early Voting, call or text 866-Our-Vote
What happens on January 3, 2027?
At noon, the clerk of the House gavels in the new House, establishes a quorum, and oversees its first task: electing a speaker. The members-elect vote to elect a speaker, and no one is sworn in until a speaker is chosen — a step that usually takes minutes, though in January 2023 it took several days. Once elected, the speaker is sworn in and then administers the oath of office to all the members-elect at once. The list of who votes for speaker and is then sworn in comes from the certificates of election the states have issued, each signed by whichever official state law designates — usually a governor or secretary of state. With the oath, the new Congress is seated.
Polling Locations
Election Day, November 3rd, 2026 Polls are open: 6 am to 9 pm. (Note that Early Voting ended on November 1 at 5pm.)
To find your Election Day polling place for your voting district, go to –VOTE411
If for any reason you are directed to the County Board of Elections, please note that Effective 7/7/2026, the Rensselaer County Board of Elections is now located at 116 Pinewoods Ave Troy, NY 12180
Early voting continues until November 1 in New York State. On November 3, polling places will be open from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm. If you are in line at a polling place before 9pm, you have the right to cast your ballot. Even if you do not enter the polling place until after 9pm,
Do I need identification?
Most voters do not need to show identification to vote early in person. If you are a first-time voter who registered by mail and did not provide identification when you registered, you may be required to show ID. If voting by mail, follow the instructions provided with your ballot materials. Read more about voter ID requirements in New York here. If you’re a first-time voter and didn’t provide ID with your registration, you can still vote using an affidavit ballot (a paper ballot that’s counted after your eligibility is verified).
Do I need to speak English?
You are not required to know how to speak, read, or write English to vote. The US Voting Rights Act guarantees you the right to bring an assister or translator of your choice when voting, as long as they are not your employer or a labor union representative. Some locations must also provide language assistance for certain language-minority groups. Some locations provide additional language assistance beyond what is federally required. Contact your local election office for more information. You may need to present identification to vote, depending on where you live.
What are affidavit ballots?
Affidavit ballots, also known as provisional ballots, are used when a voter believes they’re eligible to vote but cannot submit a regular ballot. For example, your name is not listed in the poll book, or your address has changed, but your local board of elections did not update your file. Elections officials will later check their records to see if you are registered and if you were at the right polling site. If yes, your vote will be cast. If not, you will receive a notice.
What if I have a disability?
The Help America Vote Act requires that election authorities have voting equipment for voters with disabilities to vote privately and independently, and New York is no exception. If you have any questions about receiving help in voting, please ask the clerk or inspector at the polling place.
I have to work on Election day, do I have to take time off?
If you are not able to vote early and must vote on November 3, remember that New York employers must provide up to two hours of paid time off to vote if you do not have sufficient time to vote outside of your working hours. Talk to your employer and make a plan to vote ahead of Election Day
Can I vote if I’m incarcerated?
In New York, you only lose your right to vote if you are currently incarcerated for a felony conviction. Pretrial detention, misdemeanors, probation, or parole do not restrict your voting rights. If someone you know is in pre-trial detention, they have the right to request an absentee ballot.
Can I Vote byMail?
The US Department of Justice failed to defend the attempted U.S. Postal Service rule that would have restricted mail-in voting.
However, voters who plan to vote by mail should submit their ballot early due to slower US Postal Service processing. Our mail in the Capital District is sent to Connecticut to be postmarked so this adds days to the processing. See the first box below for details on how best to deliver a mail ballot.
Early Voting by Mail
Applications requesting to receive an early mail ballot must be received by the board of elections in your county no later than ten days before the election (October 24).
For early mail ballots to be received in-person, applications must be received by your board no later than the day before the election (November 2).
Your early mail ballot must be postmarked by Election Day and received by November 10.
It may take a week or more for the postal service to deliver your ballot. If you have not already posted it, you can drop it off your at an Early Voting site by November 1, or to your local polling station on November 3 before 9pm.
If you have already returned your completed ballot by US Post or to an early voting location, you can track your ballot using the https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov/ tool and scrolling down to the section: Ballot Tracking Information.
Due to a recent change in law, New York State, voters are no longer permitted to cast a ballot on a voting machine if they have already been issued an early mail, accessible, or absentee ballot for that election.
Voters who have already been issued a ballot can still vote in person using an affidavit ballot. The affidavit ballot will be kept separate until the election is completed. Election officials will verify whether the voter’s early mail, accessible, or absentee ballot has been received. If the voter’s ballot has been received, the affidavit ballot will not be counted. If the voter’s ballot has not been received, the affidavit ballot will be counted. https://elections.ny.gov/request-ballot
Absentee/early mail voters — You may return the ballot in any of the following ways:
For the November 3, 2026 General Election:
1. Put it in the mail ensuring it receives a postmark no later than November 3rd. Must be received by the County Board of Elections no later than November 10th.
2. Bringing it to your County Board of Elections Office no later than November 3rd by 9pm.
3. Bringing it to an early voting poll site in your county between October 24th and November 1st.
4. Bringing it to a poll site in your county on November 3rd by 9pm.
In the very unlikely event that your absentee ballot has been questioned, there is a process for “curing ballots” described in detail here.
Have you moved?
Voters who have moved permanently within New York should have submitted a new voter registration form with their new address to the board of elections at least 15 days before Election Day.
Voters who have missed this deadline can still vote, see below.
Moving Within the Same County
If the voter has moved, the voter should confirm their polling place assignment by entering their new address in the New York State Board of Elections website lookup. If the voter has moved to an address in the same Election District, they should go to their polling place, which should be the same as the polling place for their old address and provide a poll worker with their new address. The voter should be able to vote a regular ballot in this situation. Voters moving further than a very short distance within the same county (i.e., to a new election district) will need to vote by affidavit (provisional) ballot. The ballot will count if the voter is otherwise eligible and this will update their registration.
Moving Between Counties
Voters should go to the polling place for their new address and cast an affidavit (provisional) ballot there. The affidavit ballot should be counted and their address changed in the voter registration records. The voter can find their new polling place by entering their new address in the New York State Board of Elections website lookup.
Poll Monitors! Poll Observers! Poll Watchers!
Who are they and what are they allowed to do? The short answer is that they may be government officials or party representatives who observe the polling place and note any irregularities. In very limited circumstances, a poll watcher may challenge the validity of a specific voter. It is illegal for anyone—including watchers, monitors, and observers—to intimidate voters or election workers, or to interfere in elections. And it is vital to remember that elections are run by state and local officials, not by the federal government.
The federal government sometimes sends civilian observers to monitor the election process, which allows Congress and the Justice Department (DOJ) to monitor compliance with federal voting rights laws and to inform potential future legislation and oversight. These could include Congressional Observers, Federal Observers (currently only allowed in three specific locations in New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Louisana), and DOJ Monitors, typically attorneys and staff from the Civil Rights Division. DOJ Monitors generally notify elections officials in advance and cooperate with them with respect to their location.
In New York, poll watchers observe elections on behalf of candidates and political parties. Poll watchers may observe irregularities and report these observations to an elections inspector or the Board of Elections. They may also challenge voters in limited, appropriate circumstances. They are not there to enforce laws, but to observe and report. They must have an appointment certificate from their party.
New York State Attorney General Letitia James has issued guidance to election officials and law enforcement partners, reminding them that voter intimidation is illegal, about the role of poll watchers and monitors, that government officials are prohibited from interfering with elections, and that troops and armed federal officers are not permitted at polling places.
Sources: The Brennan Center for Justice (much more information about their work to strengthen democracy, end mass incarceration, and protect liberty and security can be found on their website) and the New York State Office of the Attorney General voter rights.
Know your rights!
Voters are protected in a number of ways. Make sure you understand your rights before you head to the polls.
The Right to Vote Without Discrimination: All voters, regardless of whether English is their first language or if they have a disability, are entitled to vote.
The Right to Report Voting Issues: If you encounter problems, you can receive support on Election Day by contacting election officials, calling the Election Protection Hotline at (866) OUR-VOTE, or contacting federal authorities. You can also file complaints with state or federal authorities at the time of an incident or later.
The Right to Accessibility: Voters with disabilities must be provided with accessible voting equipment or assistance. Polling places are required to accommodate their needs.
The Right to Vote Without Intimidation: Voters should be free from threats, harassment, or coercion when casting their ballots.
The Right to Correct Mistakes: If you make a mistake, you can request a new ballot and correct your vote. No matter the voting method—in-person or by mail—you must request a new ballot before you cast the ballot that contains the mistake.
The Right to Request a Provisional (or Affidavit) Ballot: If your name is not on the voter registration list or your eligibility is challenged by an election official, you have the right to cast a provisional ballot, which will be counted after your eligibility is confirmed.
The Right to Vote if You’re in Line When the Polls Close: As long as you were in line before the polls closed, you may not be turned away simply because the line was long and the polls have closed. You must be allowed to vote if you were in line before the polls closed.
Join the movement to strengthen your community and country. Register, engage, and make a plan to cast your vote to ensure your voice is heard in shaping the future.
FIRST: Make your own plan to vote! Where, when, what time, and how will you vote? (see graphic for planning help)
Check your Registration and/or Register to Vote –VOTE411
Learn about your Early Voting Options
Explore your Day-Of Voting Options
Research Candidates
THEN, Share your plan with others: Ask three friends or family to Make THEIR plan to vote! Maybe you will plan to all go vote together—it would be great to do that on October 24, the first day for early voting in New York State!
Download Make Your Voting Plan palm cards to share with your friends and family and empower your community! As a trusted messenger, you can make a big impact by encouraging people you know to cast their ballot with confidence. Tell your friends and family what you learned in the process of making your voting plan and encourage them to make their own.
What can you do right now? Make your voting plan and vote early!
Check your registration frequently at Vote411.org. October 24th is the last day to register!
Request an absentee or mail in ballot . If you have already been issued an absentee ballot, return it as soon as possible (you don’t have to wait).
Early Voting starts October 24th. Check with your county board of elections for exact times and locations. You can vote at any designated early-vote polling place within your county.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3rd, from 6 am to 9 pm. Check Vote411.org for your polling place. Unlike early voting, you MUST vote at your assigned location.
Make it a community event! Invite your friends and family to go with you to the polls, and then celebrate! Check out “ROCK THE VOTE“.
Who’s on the Ballot?
It’s a busy election year. At the federal level, all 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and about one-third of the U.S. Senate seats are up for election.
In New York, voters will elect candidates for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Comptroller, and Attorney General, as well as members of the state Legislature. This includes all 63 seats in the New York State Senate (the “upper house”) and all 150 seats in the New York State Assembly (the “lower house”).
There are also many local races for positions such as town supervisor, town clerk, town justice, and other local offices.
That’s a lot to keep track of! So how do you know who is actually on your ballot?
You can find sample ballots and information about candidates through Vote411 and Ballotpedia. Election information is still being updated, so check back often as Election Day approaches.
Important Note: We do not recommend using the VoteSafe! website. It is funded by Elon Musk’s America PAC, and according to the website’s privacy policy, it may collect and share users’ personal information.
What Statewide Offices Will Be on the Ballot?
This November, New York voters will have the opportunity to vote for candidates for several statewide offices. But what do these elected officials actually do? Here’s an overview of the responsibilities of each office. (Important Note: The governor and lieutenant governor are elected together as a team, or “ticket.” Voters do not vote for these offices separately.)
Governor The Governor is the chief executive of New York State and has broad responsibilities. They oversee state departments and agencies (making sure state laws are carried out), prepare and propose the state’s annual budget, play an important role in the legislative process, and sign bills passed by the State Legislature into law (or veto them). If the governor vetoes a bill, it can become law only if each house of the Legislature votes by a two-thirds majority to override the veto.
Lieutenant Governor The Lieutenant Governor (LG) serves as president of the NY State Senate and may cast a vote when the Senate is evenly divided. The LG also assumes the duties of governor if the governor dies, resigns, is removed from office, is unable to serve, or is absent from the state. In addition, the LG has several responsibilities established by state law and may take on special projects and other duties assigned by the governor.
New York State Comptroller The Comptroller is New York’s chief fiscal officer, responsible for overseeing how public money is managed and spent. Key responsibilities include protecting taxpayer dollars by identifying waste, fraud, and abuse, providing independent oversight of state and local government finances, managing the state pension fund and administering the state retirement system, returning unclaimed funds to their rightful owners, providing financial guidance and training to local government officials and school districts, reviewing state contracts and payments, and maintaining the state’s accounting system and administering the state payroll. It’s a BIG and powerful position!
New York State Attorney General The Attorney General (AG) is New York’s chief legal officer and is often described as the “People’s Lawyer” because the office works to protect everyday New Yorkers. They represent and protect the legal interests of the people of New York, protect the state’s natural resources and organizations, serve as the chief legal adviser to the executive branch of state government, and represent the state in legal actions and proceedings.
October 24th was the deadline to register for this General Election in New York State.
Voters in the United States have the right to cast their ballots freely, safely and privately—without fear.
You can request an early mail, accessible (for persons with disabilities), or absentee ballot in-person at the county Board of Elections office or through an online portal no later than October 23rd. With all the confusion this year around postal ballots, consider early in-person voting if that is an option. Alternatively, to ensure that your absentee or early voting ballot is counted, consider delivering your completed ballot to the County Board of Elections (for Rensselaer County, that’s at 116 Pinewoods Avenue in Troy) or to your polling place on Election Day. These are your options for delivering an early, accessible, or absentee ballot and once delivered, voters can track their early mail ballot via the Board of Elections’ Poll Site
NOTE: Due to a change in law, New York State voters are no longer permitted to cast a ballot on a voting machine if they have already been issued an early mail, accessible, or absentee ballot for that election. Voters who have already been issued a ballot can still vote in person using an affidavit ballot. A New York State law passed in 2021 restores the right to vote for a person convicted of a felony upon release from incarceration.
While voter ID is not required in New York State, it’s a good idea for all first-time voters to bring ID just in case. You can check Vote411 for eligible forms of ID. Poll workers are trained to provide assistance to anyone who needs it and there are special ballot marking devices for those with disabilities if needed.
