Calling all New Yorkers: It’s time to choose your members of Congress, your governor and state legislators – and decide the fate of five ballot propositions backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Who you can vote for and where you can vote depends on where you live. All registered voters in New York will have the elections for governor, state comptroller and state attorney general, as well as the five proposed amendments to the city charter, on their ballot. Early voting will begin on Saturday, October 24, and Election Day will be November 3.
Voters who go to the polls on Oct. 31 or Nov. 1 will be eligible to receive a special edition of “I Voted” stickers, according to the city’s Board of Elections.
One is a spooky sticker — orange and adorned with cobwebs and ghouls — for those voting in person on Halloween. The other is a sports sticker for those walking to their polling places on New York City Marathon Day.
Whether you plan to vote early, on Election Day, in person or by mail, here’s what you need to know for the general election.
When is Election Day 2026?
Election Day is November 3, but early voting begins Saturday, October 24 and continues through Sunday, November 1. During early voting, polling places will generally be open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except on October 27 and 28, when they will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and on October 29, they will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Early voting will not take place on November 2, the Monday immediately preceding the election. Day.
Where can I vote?
Find your survey site here. But double check the location before you go there, as your early voting site may not be the same as your Election Day voting site.
When can I vote on Election Day?
Polling stations will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Public schools, which are often used as voting locations, will hold classes remotely.
Who is on the ballot?
It depends on where you live in the city, but a few races on the ballot are statewide.
All New Yorkers will vote for governor. Incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, faces Republican Bruce Blakeman, the Nassau County executive. To learn more about the candidates, follow their debate earlier this month.
Other statewide races include comptroller — where Democratic incumbent Thomas DiNapoli is running against Republican Joseph Hernandez — and attorney general, where incumbent Letitia James, a Democrat, faces Republican Saritha Komatireddy.
New York City voters will elect their representatives to Congress, state senators, and members of the state Assembly.
To find out exactly which races you’ll be voting for and who the candidates are, enter your address here to see your sample ballot.
What’s on the ballot?
Five proposed amendments to the city charter are on ballots citywide. These ballot questions were developed and approved by the Mamdani Commission on Government Effectiveness earlier this year and require a simple majority to pass.
They are primarily part of the mayor’s initiative to cut red tape for infrastructure projects and small businesses. The first four proposals aim to speed up approval processes for outdoor dining permits, city contracts, bike and bus lanes, and more. The fifth sets a goal for the amount that must be kept in the city’s financial reserves: at least 12% of the previous year’s tax revenues.
City Hall ads encouraging New Yorkers to vote on the proposals — and arguably suggesting they vote yes — have drawn criticism this week over possible “campaigning,” or the use of public funds to encourage voters to take a position on a particular politician or proposal.
The Citizens’ Union, a local nonprofit, said it was difficult to say whether the ads were considered campaigning because, although the city charter prohibits the practice, no one has been given the authority to enforce it.
“The law prohibits the use of government funds for communications intended to incite the public to support or oppose a referendum question, but whether a given ad meets that criterion is a matter of judgment — and no one in New York is responsible for making it,” said Citizens Union Executive Director Grace Rauh.
The Mamdani administration said the digital and television ads were part of a “public education campaign” on the ballot issues.
For more information on proposals, read our guide here.
How do I register to vote or find out if I am already registered?
You can check if you are registered to vote through the City Board of Elections Registered Voter Search. If you are a U.S. citizen, a resident of New York for 30 days or more, and will be 18 years of age or older on Election Day, you can register to vote here. The registration form by mail is available here.
The last day to register to vote in person or by mail is Saturday, October 24.
Can I send a ballot by mail?
To request an early, mail-in, or accessible absentee ballot, apply here. You can also find more information about military voting and track your voting request there.
Although the last day to apply online is October 24, you can apply in person at your county board of elections until November 2.
What should I do if there is a disturbance at my polling place?
“Don’t leave without voting,” Rauh said. “Ask an election official for help first.”
If you wait in line when the polls close, you should be able to vote.
You have the right to vote by affidavit if your name is not on the poll book. You can also call the city’s Board of Elections at 1-866-VOTE-NYC with any questions.
How can I check the results?
The city’s election board will post unofficial results on its website after polls close on election night. And stay tuned for analysis and follow-up reports from the City Reporter.
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