2026 Special Election

Key Dates and Deadlines

Election Day

Election Day is Tuesday, February 3. Poll sites are open from 6 AM to 9 PM. If you are in line by 9 PM, you can stay in line to cast a ballot.

Early Voting

Early Voting runs from January 24 to February 1.

Date	Voting Hours
Saturday, January 24	9 AM to 5 PM
Sunday, January 25	9 AM to 5 PM
Monday, January 26	9 AM to 5 PM
Tuesday, January 27	12 PM to 8 PM
Wednesday, January 28	12 PM to 8 PM
Thursday, January 29	9 AM to 5 PM
Friday, January 30	8 AM to 4 PM
Saturday, January 31	9 AM to 5 PM
Sunday, February 1	9 AM to 5 PM

Early Mail and Absentee Voting Deadlines

Date	Deadline
January 24	Last day for the Board of Elections to receive an application or letter of application by mail, online portal, email, or fax for a ballot.
February 2	Last day to apply in person for an absentee or early mail ballot.
February 3	Last day to postmark an absentee or early mail ballot. It must be received no later than February 10.
February 3	Last day to deliver the ballot in person.

Voter Registration Deadlines

Date	Deadline
January 19	Last day to request a change of address on your voter registration. The Board of Elections must receive your application by this date.
January 24	Last day a mail application must be received by the Board of Elections to be eligible to vote in the General Election.
January 24	Last day to register to vote in person to be eligible to vote in the General Election.

Election Timeline

January 19

Last day to update your address on your voter registration

Learn how to update your registration

January 24

Last day to register to vote

Learn how to register

January 24

Early Voting begins

Learn how to vote early

February 1

Last day of Early Voting

February 2

Last day to apply for an early mail or absentee ballot

Learn about early mail voting

Learn about absentee voting

February 3

Election Day

February 3

Last day to drop off or postmark your early mail or absentee ballot

Ways to Vote

In New York City, registered voters have three ways to cast their ballot.

1. Vote at a Poll Site

During Early Voting (January 24 to February 1)
On Election Day (February 3)

You must vote at the specific poll site assigned to our home address. Your Early Voting poll site may be different than your Election Day poll site.

Learn more about voting at poll sites.

2. Vote by Early Mail Ballot

You can request an early mail ballot for any reason. The Board of Elections (BOE) will mail you the ballot and a pre-paid envelope. Then you can return the ballot by mail or drop it off at a poll site during voting hours or at a BOE office.

Learn more and request an early mail ballot.

3. Vote by Absentee Ballot

If you can’t make it to the polls in person for a specific reason, like illness or travel, you can request an absentee ballot. The Board of Elections (BOE) will mail you the ballot and a pre-paid envelope. Then you can return the ballot by mail or drop it off at a poll site during voting hours or at a BOE office.

Learn more and request an absentee ballot.

Poll Site Information

Always look up your poll site before you go—your poll site may change from election to election. Your early voting poll site can also be different than your Election Day site..

Find your poll site

What to Bring

For easy check-in, bring your Fast Pass tag or card. It's not required, but your Fast Pass has all your voting information, including districts. BOE will mail them to you before the election.

You only have to bring ID if you are a first-time voter who didn't give your identification when you registered to vote.

Acceptable forms of ID include:

Valid photo ID
A recent copy of a utility bill
A recent copy of a bank statement
A recent copy of a paycheck
A recent copy of a government check or document

How to Vote at a Poll Site

Check in

A poll worker will look up your name on the list of registered voters or scan your Fast Pass. If you’re a first-time voter who didn’t provide identification when you registered, you need to show ID. Then sign your name in the poll book.

Go to the voting booth

You'll get a paper ballot and be directed to a privacy booth with a pen to mark your ballot. If you need disability assistance, just ask a poll worker.

Mark the ballot with your choices

Insert your ballot into the scanner

You're done! The scanner will record your vote. When polls close, the scanners will be used to count all votes cast. Don't forget to pick up an official "I Voted" sticker before you leave!