All voters must meet age, citizenship, and residency requirements. You must also be registered to vote.
If you have a criminal record, there may be more requirements for you to be able to vote.
There are no additional requirements if you:
- Are in jail for a misdemeanor charge
- Have been convicted of a misdemeanor
- Are on probation
- Have completed your maximum prison sentence
- Have been discharged from parole on any charge
If you are on parole, you must get a Certificate of Relief or a Certificate of Conduct to restore your voting rights. You must also register again. To learn about getting Certificate of Relief or a Certificate of Conduct, visit the Certificate of Conduct page.
If you are in prison or jail for a felony, you cannot vote.
If you are awaiting arraignment, trial, or sentencing at the New York City Department of Correction, you are eligible to vote.
Online
Learn about voting rights for people with a criminal record or inmates of Department of Correction.
By Phone
Re-Registering to Vote after Prison
If you were in prison for a felony, the Board of Elections was notified and your name was removed from the voting rolls.
When you have completed your maximum sentence or been discharged from parole, you need to register again to vote.
Voter Registration and Absentee Ballot for a DOC Inmate
You can get voter registration forms and absentee ballot applications from the law libraries, counseling units, chaplains’ offices and program wagons in the New York City Department of Correction.
When you register to vote, you should use your permanent home address as your residence. Do not provide the address of the jail, except as your mailing address.