Make Your Voice Heard!
Under New York State law, college students who meet all other eligibility requirements can vote at their college address or at their home address. That does not mean you can just show up and vote on Election Day. You need to register in the place you intend to vote.
In order to vote in New York State in the November 3, 2026 election, you must be registered to vote by October 24, 2026.
If you are not able to vote in person at the location where you choose to vote, you must request an absentee ballot in advance of the election to cast your vote.
Make a plan:
To vote at your home address (in NYS):
- Check your current voter registration on the NYS Board of Elections website.
- Make sure you are registered to vote at your home address. You can register to vote or change your registration on the NYS government website.
- Make a travel plan to vote in person on Election Day November 3, 2026.
OR
Request an absentee ballot as soon as possible so that your ballot will arrive 10 days before the election. You can request an absentee ballot through the NYS Board of Elections website.
To vote at your college address:
- Check your current voter registration on the NYS Board of Elections website.
- Make sure you are registered to vote at your college address. You can register or change your registration on the NYS government website.
- Make a plan to vote in person on Election Day November 3, 2026, at a nearby polling place. You can check your polling place on the NYS Board of Elections website.
If your home address is outside of New York State and you plan to vote in your home community, please check your local voting requirements for in-person and/or absentee voting. The online Out-of-State College Student Voting Guide can help you get started.
Qualifications to Register to Vote in New York
- be a United States citizen;
- be 18 years old (you may pre-register at 16 or 17 but cannot vote until you are 18);
- resident of this state and the county, city, or village for at least 30 days before the election;
- not be in prison for a felony conviction; if you are not incarcerated, you can register to vote (new law 2021)
- not found to be incompetent by a court;
- not claim the right to vote elsewhere.
Voter Registration Deadlines
Voter Registration Forms
Once the form is completed, you need to print the form and sign it. The Board of Elections cannot accept any kind of digital or Adobe-generated signature. Then, mail the form to your County Board of Elections.
- New York State Voting Registration Form in English
- New York State Voting Registration Form in Spanish
You can also complete an accessible version of the New York State Voter Registration Form online using the NYS Online Voter Registration Portal, typing the necessary information and selecting the appropriate boxes.
Once the form is completed, you need to print it, sign it, and date it. Then, mail the form to your County Board of Elections.
Change of Name and/or Address
The voter registration form should be used as a change of address form. Notices of change of address from registered voters received at least 20 days before a special, primary, or general election by a county board of elections must be processed and entered in the records in time for that election.
Change of Party Enrollment
The voter registration form should be used to change your party enrollment from one party to another or to enroll for the first time in a party. A change of enrollment received up until February 14 each year will be effective immediately. Changes received on or after February 15 until seven days after the June Primary will be set aside and opened the seventh day following the June Primary and entered in the voter's registration record. Please see deadlines referenced above.
Absentee Voting
General Election Day is November 3, 2026. You may be eligible to vote by absentee ballot for several reasons, including being away from your county on Election Day or temporary or permanent illness or disability.
View absentee voting information
Absentee Ballot Forms:
- New York State Absentee Ballot Application in English
- New York State Absentee Ballot Application in Spanish
Oneida County Board of Elections
Visit Oneida County BOE website
Location: Union Station, 321 Main Street - 3rd Floor, Utica, N.Y. 13501
Phone: 315-798-5765
Fax: 315-798-6412
Email: BoardofElections@ocgov.net
- Sarah Bormann, Democratic Commissioner
- Nichole Shortell, Republican Commissioner
MVCC Contact for Voter Registration Assistance
Student Engagement Office
Phone: 315-792-5386
Email: studentengagement@mvcc.edu