Rockland Voter Information
October 9, 2020 is the last day for mail in or in person voter registration. Click here to register through New York State DMV website.
Absentee Voting
HERE’S HOW ABSENTEE VOTING NOW WORKS FOR THE NOVEMBER 3, 2020 ELECTION ONLY
Absentee ballots may also be requested virtually.
Absentee Ballot Application Portal
Guidelines for the November 3, 2020 General Election Due to the COVID-19 Health Emergency.
The State Legislature passed a bill including the risk of infection under the temporary illness category. The Governor signed the legislation on August 20, 2020, ensuring all eligible voters can vote by absentee this November.
Expanded Applications for the November 3, 2020 General Election Only.
The State Legislature passed a bill allowing for expanded application submissions and Governor Cuomo signed it into law on June 7, 2020. For this election only, the application may be submitted via email or fax. As always, the application may be submitted via regular mail. Drop in applications are also accepted. Visitors to the Board are asked to wear a mask and follow our social distancing directives. The signature requirements have been relaxed for the November 3, 2020 General Election only. You may submit the application electronically, with an electronic signature.
You may also request an Absentee Ballot by sending a letter or email. The letter must be received no later than seven days before the election. The letter must contain the following information: your name and date of birth, the address where you are registered, an address where the ballot is to be sent, and the reason for the request. The deadline to apply by letter/email is October 24, 2020.
The letter may be sent via mail, email or fax. Our email is VoterInfo@co.rockland.ny.us and our fax is 845-638-5196.
The letter request is valid for the November 3, 2020 General Election only. All future elections will require an absentee application. Please note: Unless you are applying to become a Permanent Absentee Voter due to illness or disability, Absentee applications are valid for one calendar year only.
Download the Absentee Application below for more information.
Forms to Download:
When completing the application form, be sure to print clearly:
Download Absentee Ballot Applicationopens a pdf file
Download Absentee Ballot Application in Spanishopens a pdf file
Meeting Voter Access Needs:
If you are a voter with special needs, you may also apply for an accessible absentee ballot using the Accessible Absentee Ballot Applicationopens a pdf file. ( 120KB)
Upon completion of the absentee ballot application, you must mail it to or hand deliver it to the Board of Elections. Once we are in receipt of your application, a ballot will be mailed to you. Remember that an application for an absentee ballot is only valid for the calendar year of the request. Please Note: Except for the law covering the November 3, 2020 General Election only, we cannot accept applications by email, fax, or letter. The New York State Election Law requires an original signature on the application document and on the ballot. Email, fax, and letter applications will be honored for the November 3, 2020 General Election only.
Designate someone to pick up 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. Important: The expanded submission policies may not be used if you are designating an agent for pick up. You must submit a paper application to the Board to assign an agent.
Please Note: as of February 4, 2015, the Commissioners amended the Absentee Ballot Policy. No individual, even if authorized by the applicant, may pick up more than five (5) absentee ballots.
Return the ballot in person:
If you prefer to drop off your ballot rather than mailing it:
Ballots normally have to be postmarked the day BEFORE the election. Due to COVID, legislation was signed into law allowing voters to postmark the ballots up until the day of the election, November 3, 2020. Ballots must be received by us not later than seven (7) days after the election. Once you receive your ballot, complete it, place it in the oath envelope, sign the oath envelope, seal it, place it into the mail envelope, seal it, and mail it immediately. The earlier the better! Remember: As the deadline approaches, you may ask the Post Office to physically stamp your ballot so that you can ensure your ballot has the proper postmark date.
If disabled or permanently ill:
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 Board of Elections containing a statement which describes the particulars of your illness or disability. The Board will review the facts stated and, if satisfied, will mark your registration record. You will then automatically receive an absentee ballot for every election until your registration is cancelled.
If you change your mind and decide to vote in-person, simply don’t send in your ballot. You can still go to the polls to vote.
Absentee ballots may also be requested virtually.
Absentee Ballot Application Portal
Guidelines for the November 3, 2020 General Election Due to the COVID-19 Health Emergency.
The State Legislature passed a bill including the risk of infection under the temporary illness category. The Governor signed the legislation on August 20, 2020, ensuring all eligible voters can vote by absentee this November.
Expanded Applications for the November 3, 2020 General Election Only.
The State Legislature passed a bill allowing for expanded application submissions and Governor Cuomo signed it into law on June 7, 2020. For this election only, the application may be submitted via email or fax. As always, the application may be submitted via regular mail. Drop in applications are also accepted. Visitors to the Board are asked to wear a mask and follow our social distancing directives. The signature requirements have been relaxed for the November 3, 2020 General Election only. You may submit the application electronically, with an electronic signature.
You may also request an Absentee Ballot by sending a letter or email. The letter must be received no later than seven days before the election. The letter must contain the following information: your name and date of birth, the address where you are registered, an address where the ballot is to be sent, and the reason for the request. The deadline to apply by letter/email is October 24, 2020.
The letter may be sent via mail, email or fax. Our email is VoterInfo@co.rockland.ny.us and our fax is 845-638-5196.
The letter request is valid for the November 3, 2020 General Election only. All future elections will require an absentee application. Please note: Unless you are applying to become a Permanent Absentee Voter due to illness or disability, Absentee applications are valid for one calendar year only.
Download the Absentee Application below for more information.
Forms to Download:
When completing the application form, be sure to print clearly:
Download Absentee Ballot Applicationopens a pdf file
Download Absentee Ballot Application in Spanishopens a pdf file
Meeting Voter Access Needs:
If you are a voter with special needs, you may also apply for an accessible absentee ballot using the Accessible Absentee Ballot Applicationopens a pdf file. ( 120KB)
Upon completion of the absentee ballot application, you must mail it to or hand deliver it to the Board of Elections. Once we are in receipt of your application, a ballot will be mailed to you. Remember that an application for an absentee ballot is only valid for the calendar year of the request. Please Note: Except for the law covering the November 3, 2020 General Election only, we cannot accept applications by email, fax, or letter. The New York State Election Law requires an original signature on the application document and on the ballot. Email, fax, and letter applications will be honored for the November 3, 2020 General Election only.
Designate someone to pick up 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. Important: The expanded submission policies may not be used if you are designating an agent for pick up. You must submit a paper application to the Board to assign an agent.
Please Note: as of February 4, 2015, the Commissioners amended the Absentee Ballot Policy. No individual, even if authorized by the applicant, may pick up more than five (5) absentee ballots.
Return the ballot in person:
If you prefer to drop off your ballot rather than mailing it:
- You or a representative can return it to any of our poll sites on Election Day.
- You or a representative can return it to any of our early voting centers during Early Voting. Click here for Early Voting hours.
- You or a representative can return it to the Board of Elections during regular business hours.
- You or a representative can return it to the Board of Elections during our extended hours. Click here for extended availability.
Ballots normally have to be postmarked the day BEFORE the election. Due to COVID, legislation was signed into law allowing voters to postmark the ballots up until the day of the election, November 3, 2020. Ballots must be received by us not later than seven (7) days after the election. Once you receive your ballot, complete it, place it in the oath envelope, sign the oath envelope, seal it, place it into the mail envelope, seal it, and mail it immediately. The earlier the better! Remember: As the deadline approaches, you may ask the Post Office to physically stamp your ballot so that you can ensure your ballot has the proper postmark date.
If disabled or permanently ill:
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 Board of Elections containing a statement which describes the particulars of your illness or disability. The Board will review the facts stated and, if satisfied, will mark your registration record. You will then automatically receive an absentee ballot for every election until your registration is cancelled.
If you change your mind and decide to vote in-person, simply don’t send in your ballot. You can still go to the polls to vote.
