How to Apply for an Absentee Ballot

You may apply for an absentee ballot in any of the following ways:

• Electronically through our Absentee Ballot Application Portal:Electronic Absentee Ballot Request Portal
• By sending an email request to absentee@orangecountygov.com
• By sending a fax request to (845) 291-2437
• By going in-person to:
  Orange County Board of Elections,
  75 Webster Ave, Goshen, NY 10924 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, masks are required)
• By mailing a paper application toOrange County Board of Elections,
  PO Box 30, Goshen, NY 10924You can download a PDF version of the New York State Absentee Ballot Application Form:

  Absentee Ballot Application - English
  Absentee Ballot Application - Spanish

By sending a letter to
Orange County Board of Elections,
PO Box 30, Goshen, NY 10924.

The letter must contain the following information:

1. Name and date of birth of the voter
2. the address where you are registered
3. an address where the ballot is to be sent, and
4. the reason for the request. If you apply by letter, an application form will be mailed with your ballot. The application form must be completed and returned with your ballot.

If you cannot pick up your ballot, or will not be able to receive it through the mail, you have the right to designate someone to pick it up for you. Only that person designated on your application may pick up and deliver your ballot.

If you are permanently ill or disabled, you have the right to receive an Absentee Ballot for each subsequent election without further application. Simply file an application with your county board of elections indicating permanent illness or physical disability.

You will then automatically receive an absentee ballot for every election until your registration is canceled.

If you are visually impaired or otherwise disabled, such that your disability requires you to use an accessible absentee ballot application, you have two accessible options to request a ballot on this page, either using the Accessible Electronic Ballot Application Portal:

Accessible Electronic Ballot Application Portal

Accessible Electronic Ballot Application Portal Instructions

 

How to Cast an Absentee Ballot

• Once your receive the ballot, mark the ballot according to your choices for each office following the instructions on the ballot
• Once you have completed marking your ballot fold it up and place it in the Security Envelope. (This envelope will have a place for your signature.)
• Sign and date the outside of the Security Envelope.
• Seal the Security Envelope.
• Place the Security Envelope in the Return Envelope. (This envelope will have the return address of your county Board of Elections on the outside and should have a logo that reads, “Official Election Mail”)
• Seal the Return Envelope.
• You may return the ballot in any of the following ways:

1. Put it in the mail ensuring it receives a postmark no later than Primary or Election Day.
2. Bringing it to the County Board of Elections Office no later than Primary/Election Day by 9pm.
3. Bringing it to an early voting poll site
4. Bringing it to a poll site by 9pm on Primary/Election Day.

Mail Time Considerations When Returning an Absentee Ballot

When mailing your completed ballot, the USPS recommends that voters allow enough time for ballots to be returned to the Board, which is generally seven days ahead of the general election. New York State requires your ballot to be both postmarked by Election Day. Voters who mail in their ballots on Election Day must be aware of the posted collection times on collection boxes and at the Postal Service’s retail facilities, and that ballots entered after the last posted collection time will not be postmarked until the following business day.

You Can Still Vote in Person if You Request an Absentee Ballot

Even if you request or cast and return an absentee ballot, you may still go to the polls and vote in person. The Election Law recognizes that plans change. The Board of Elections is required to check the poll book before canvassing any absentee ballot. If the voter comes to the poll site, on Election Day or during early voting and votes in person, the absentee ballot is set aside and not counted.

Application