Request a Ballot

New York voters have two options to request a ballot ahead of Election Day. Students who register at home (outside of Broome County) should plan ahead and request an absentee ballot unless they plan to return home to vote in person. Students registered at home or locally also have the option to request to vote early via mail.

Request an Absentee Ballot

If you are unable to vote in person, you should request an absentee ballot using one of these request form options:

  • (recommended):
    On-campus students should format their mailing address as:
    BU BOX XXXXX
    511 West Dr
    91社区, NY 13902

    On-campus students who are registered in NYC should format their mailing address as:
    Street Number: BU BOX XXXXX
    Street Name: 511 West Dr
    91社区, NY 13902
  • Blank

Request to Vote Early Via Mail in New York State

Any registered NY voter may apply for an .

  • (recommended):
    On-campus students should format their mailing address as:
    BU BOX XXXXX
    511 West Dr
    91社区, NY 13902

    On-campus students who are registered in NYC should format their mailing address as:
    Street Number: BU BOX XXXXX
    Street Name: 511 West Dr
    91社区, NY 13902

If you are a U.S. citizen studying abroad, you can request a ballot through the

If you will be voting absentee with an out-of-state home address, contact your state/county鈥檚 board of elections for absentee info. You can find your state鈥檚 info using . 

  • When will I get my mail ballot after I request it?
    In New York, election officials begin mailing ballots 46 days/6 weeks before Election Day. If you requested a ballot between then and the ballot request deadline, it will be mailed to you as soon as your application has been received and approved by your board of elections. You can track the status of your ballot through the . Mail ballot procedures vary from state to state; contact your local election officials for the most accurate information.
  • I鈥檝e received my ballot by mail; now what?
    Complete and return your mail ballot as soon as possible when you receive it. In New York, the deadline to postmark your ballot is Election Day. 
    Note: The United States Postal Service has . If you are voting by mail in a state that has a postmarked by deadline for mail ballots (including New York), we highly recommend taking your ballot in person to a U.S. Post Office and requesting a postmark if you are mailing it within a week of the deadline. 
  • What if I already requested a ballot, but decide to vote in person?
    If you already requested a ballot and then decide to vote in person, you will need to vote using an affidavit ballot. Go to the polling place for your current address. A poll worker will direct you to complete an affidavit ballot. Complete the ballot carefully using your current local address. Visit the New York Board of Elections webpage to learn more about voting by mail.

Important voting dates and deadlines

Oct
20
Tue
All Day
UU-137

The CCE will accept paper voter registration forms for New York counties other than Broome County until 12pm on October 20.
Oct
24
Sat
All Day

The CCE will be open from 10am to 2pm on Saturday, October 24 to take voter registrations for Broome County only and answer questions about voting. You can register and vote early on October 24 by going to any early voting site in Broome County; visit for details.
All Day
痴颈蝉颈迟听聽to request your New York mail ballot online.
All Day
Oct
27
Tue
All Day
If you use Campus Mail Services to return your mail ballot, it is recommended that you deliver your completed, sealed ballot to them at least a week before the New York ballot postmark deadline (November 3). 聽 Voting by mail in another state? Ballot return rules vary by state. Visit vote.gov for state-specific election information.
Nov
3
Tue
All Day
If you are returning your New York mail ballot within a week of the November 3 deadline, please bring it in-person to a and request a postmark on your election mail. The #5 and #47 BC Transit routes travel directly from campus to nearby post offices. (Campus Mail Services in the Union cannot apply postmarks to mail.)
All Day
Get out and vote! New York polls are open from 6am to 9pm. If voting on Election Day, you must vote at your assigned poll site for your current address: visit voterlookup.elections.ny.gov to find your poll site. If you live on campus and are registered to vote on campus, your poll site is in the Mandela Room in the University Union.

See full details on dates and deadlines on the Vote and Advocate homepage.