---

 How can I apply to vote by absentee ballot?

A: Pursuant to Executive Order 202. 87 extending Chapter 91 of the Laws of 2020, a completed and signed absentee ballot application is not required to be received by the Board of Elections as a precondition to receiving an absentee ballot for the Primary or General Election.

Suffolk County voters who wish to vote by absentee ballot may apply several ways:

1. Electronically by the New York State Board of Elections Absentee Application Portal at: https://absenteeballot.elections.ny.gov/
2. By Mail. Send a completed application or request to: Suffolk County Board of Elections, PO Box 700, Yaphank, NY 11980. If you do not complete an application and send a letter request instead, please include your name and date of birth, the reason for the request, the address where you are registered and an address where you want the ballot to be sent. (See below for permissible reasons.)
3. In Person. Go to the Suffolk BOE at 700 Yaphank Ave., Yaphank, NY 11980 and make a request or complete and submit your application. Depending on availability, you maybe able to get a ballot while you wait! Otherwise you can come back the next day to retrieve your ballot or the Board of Elections will mail it to you.
4. By Email. Email an application or request for an absentee ballot to Absentee.voters@suffolkcountyny.gov and include your name and date of birth, the reason for the request, the address where you are registered and an address where you want the ballot to be sent. (See below for permissible reasons.)
5. By Fax. Send an application or request to 631-852-4590. If you do not complete an application and send a letter request instead, please include your name and date of birth, the reason for the request, the address where you are registered and an address where you want the ballot to be sent. (See below for permissible reasons.)

---

 What are the deadlines to apply to vote absentee?

A: The deadline to apply depends on how you apply.

1. By the NYS BOE Portal. Request must be transmitted no later than 7 days before the election.
2. By Mail. Application or request must be postmarked no later than 7 days before the election.
3. In Person. Voters may apply in-person up to the day before the election.
4. By email or fax . The request or application must be received no later than 7 days before the election.

---

 When will I receive my absentee ballot?

A: Under normal circumstances, the Suffolk County Board of Elections will send out ballots between one and three days after receiving an application. It may take a few days longer if there is a high volume of requests. In any case, voters may file an application at any time before the deadlines.

---

 What about travel time through the postal system?

A: Please be aware that postal service delays do not extend the above deadlines. Please consider time for mail delivery when making your request in order to provide adequate time for your ballot to be delivered to you prior to an election.

---

 Where can I find an absentee ballot application?

A: You can download a PDF version of the New York State Absentee Ballot Application at the Suffolk County Board of Elections website at https://suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/BOE

---

 What if I cannot pick up my ballot or I can’t receive it through the mail?

A: 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.

---

 What are my rights if I am permanently ill or disabled?

A: 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 the Suffolk 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 have low vision, please use the Accessible Absentee Ballot Application here: https://absenteeballot.elections.ny.gov/home/accessible

All Early Voting and Election Day poll sites are equipped with Ballot Marking Devices (BMDs) and are available for voters needing assistance.

---

 What are the qualifications to vote by Absentee Ballot?

A: All registered voters are eligible to receive an absentee ballot for the following reasons:

• Absence from Suffolk County on Election Day;
• Temporary illness or disability including instances where a voter is unable to appear personally at the polling place because there is a risk of contracting or spreading a disease like COVID-19;
• Permanent illness or physical disability;
• Duties related to primary care of one or more individuals who are ill or physically disabled;
• Resident or patient of a Veterans Health Administration Hospital; or
• Detention in a jail/prison, awaiting trial, awaiting action by a grand jury, or in a prison for a conviction of a crime or offense which is not a felony.

---

 How do I submit my Absentee Ballot in person?

A: Completed, signed and sealed Absentee ballots may be delivered to:

1. Any Early Voting or Election Day poll site during voting hours; or
2. The Suffolk County Board of Elections during office hours.

---

 How do I submit an Absentee Ballot by Mail?

A: After marking your votes on the ballot, fold the ballot and put it in the smaller envelope with the oath. Sign and date the back of the envelope. Seal the envelope and put it in the larger envelope that is addressed to the Board of Elections. Mail your ballot to the Suffolk County Board of Elections office.

An absentee ballot must be postmarked by Election Day and must reach the Board of Elections no more than 7 days after the election to be counted. To avoid delays in mailing, you should mail your ballot early.

---

 What if I am an Overseas or Military Voter?

A: If you are applying for an absentee ballot because you or your family are in the military or because you currently reside overseas, do not use this application. You are entitled to special provisions if you apply using the Federal Postcard Application.

For more information about military/overseas voting, refer to the Military and Federal Voting sections at: https://www.elections.ny.gov/VotingMilitaryFed.html

---

 What if I request or submit an absentee ballot and then decide to vote on a machine?

A: It is not improper to cast a ballot on a machine after either requesting or submitting an absentee ballot. Before absentee and affidavit ballots are counted by the Board of Elections, a bipartisan team of election clerks, verify that an absentee or affidavit voter has not cast a ballot on a machine. When a bipartisan team’s work reveals that an absentee or affidavit voter has cast a ballot a machine, the voter’s absentee and/or affidavit ballot is not counted.