Elections 2020: who can vote in absentia and how to do it in New York

The U.S. presidential election is scheduled for November 3, 2020. For those who are physically unable to appear at the polling station, New York has created conditions for absentee voting. How to use them is reported on the website www.vote.nyc.

Today, the United States is experiencing several crises at once: the coronavirus pandemic, the crisis in the work of the US Postal Service, the threat of foreign interference and misinformation.

Many Americans are worried about the question: how to get my vote counted in the 2020 elections?

If you are a New Yorker but are unable to attend a polling station in person, this post tells you how to vote in absentia.

When to fill out an application

Postmark, submit an application online, by e-mail or fax a completed application to vote should until October 27, 2020. Apply personally You can until November 2, 2020.

Bulletins will be sent by mail from September 18, 2020.

Apply now there are several ways to vote:

• Online, for which click here
• By e-mail: [email protected] (pdf-format)
• By fax: 212-487-5349
• By email to your local district office (address list — here)
• Call: 1-866-VOTE-NYC (1-866-868-3692).

You can download application in English by going here to register:.

Who can take part in absentee voting:

• New Yorkers out of town on Election Day.
• Those who cannot attend the polling station due to temporary or permanent illness or disability; or because he is the guardian of one or more sick or physically disabled persons.
• Patients of Veterans' Administration Hospital.
• Prisoners awaiting jury judgment or imprisoned after conviction for a crime other than a criminal offense.

You can also vote after you have been convicted of a crime, if you have received a pardon from the governor or are on probation.

On the subject: Cuomo signs three election laws: how it will affect voters in New York

Terms of voting

Face-to-face voting begins as soon as ballots are available and ends on election day.

All district offices are equipped with ballot marking devices (BMD) available to voters. More information can be obtained on this site.

On election day, it will be possible to vote in absentia until 21:00.

Absentee voting in emergency situations

If the deadline for submitting an application for absentee voting by mail has expired and you cannot appear at the polling station on election day due to an accident or sudden illness, then you can send a letter to the authorized representative asking for a ballot paper for absentee voting. It will need to be completed and returned to the election commission at your district office by 9:00 pm on election day.

How the military and those abroad can vote

If you or your family members are serving in the military or are currently residing abroad, you are entitled to special voting conditions. To do this, you need to fill out the Federal Postcard Application.

For more information on this method of voting, see on this site.

Let us remind that less than two months are left before the US presidential elections. At the same time, in many states, preliminary voting will begin at the end of September.

If you are still undecided on which one you want to vote for, find out what candidates promise immigrantsto make the right choice.