Voting On Election Day

Step 1 - Where To Vote
Make sure you are at the correct polling site and Election District (E.D.) for your address.

Polling Places open 6:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M.

Click here to locate & confirm your polling site.



Step 2 - Be An Informed Voter
To vote, you must go to your assigned Election District polling place which is indicated on your voter registration card or ask any election officials at the polling site to look up your address in the street locator to ensure you are at the right poll site and election table. After you sign your name on the computer listing (poll list) of registered voters, a poll worker will issue you a voter card and direct you to a voting machine.



Step 3 - Signing In
Remember to look at the sample ballot and voting machine instructions on the wall before you get on line.



Step 4 - If You Need Assistance
You may be assisted in the voting machine by any person of your choice including a trained poll worker, except your employer or union representative, if:
  • you cannot read
  • you cannot see the names printed on the ballot
  • you cannot operate the levers
  • you cannot enter the voting machine booth unless aided by another person
  • you do not speak English and need an interpreter (interpreters are available at selected sites)


Step 5 - Voting on a Voting Machine

    Video Click here to see video on how to use voting machine
  1. To vote, part the voting machine curtains and enter

  2. Pull large red handle to the right. Do not touch the large red handle again until you've made all your selections.

  3. Push down the lever next to the candidates you want. An "X" will appear. If you made a mistake, move the lever back and select the candidate you want.

  4. You may vote for a candidate not listed on the ballot by writing in the candidate's name. Locate the button over the column of numbered slots on the left of the voting machine and:

    1. For General Election: Depress the button and, while holding it in, open the slot opposite the office for which you wish to write in a candidate's name.

    2. For Primary Elections: Depress the button and, while holding it in, open the slot number indicated on the ballot under the office and party for which you wish to write in a candidate's name.

    Write the name of your preferred candidate in the slot. A pencil is provided. Cast your vote for other offices in the usual manner.

  5. When you finish making your selection, leave the levers down and pull the large red handle all the way to the left. The write-in slot will close, the levers will return to their original position and your vote is recorded.

  6. Part the curtains and exit.

NOTE: Write-in votes are tabulated at the borough Board of Elections facility.


Step 6 - Voting on a Paper Ballot

There are three circumstances at the pollsite when you may vote on a paper ballot instead of on a voting machine:

  1. If the voting for your Election District is not operating, you will be given an emergency paper ballot. The pollworkers will canvass the emergency ballots along with the voting machines when the polls are closed at the end of the day.
    1. Take the ballot that the pollworker gives you and take it to the cardboard voting booth and mark your votes with a pencil or a pen with blue or black ink.
    2. The way to vote is to fill in the ovals near your choices. Remember not to use any other markings on the ballot.
    3. Fold the ballot and deposit it in the cardboard box on the table.
    4. You are finished

  2. If your name does not appear on the list of registered voters or if your signature is missing from that list, you will be given an affidavit ballot and an envelope in which to seal it in. At the close of the polls, the sealed envelopes are brought back to the Board of Elections offices where your registration will be verified before your ballot is canvassed.
    1. Take the envelope and the ballot that the pollworker gives you and take it to the cardboard voting booth.
    2. Complete the envelope.
    3. Mark your votes on the ballot with a pencil or a pen with blue or black ink.
    4. The way to vote is to fill in the ovals near your choices. Remember not to use any other markings on the ballot.
    5. Fold the ballot and put it in the envelope.
    6. Seal the envelope and give it to the pollworker.
    7. You are finished

  3. If you are required by the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) to show identification before you can vote on the voting machine, and you cannot or choose not to comply, then you will be given an affidavit ballot and an envelope in which to seal it in. At the close of the polls, the sealed envelopes are brought back to the Board of Elections offices where your registration will be verified before your ballot is canvassed.
    1. Take the envelope and the ballot that the pollworker gives you, and take it to the cardboard voting booth.
    2. Complete the envelope.
    3. Mark your votes on the ballot with a pencil or a pen with blue or black ink.
    4. The way to vote is to fill in the ovals near your choices. Remember not to use any other markings on the ballot.
    5. Fold the ballot and put it in the envelope.
    6. Seal the envelope and give it to the pollworker.
    7. You are finished


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  1. Where To Vote

  2. Be An Informed Voter

  3. Signing In

  4. Assistance

  5. Voting On A Machine

  6. Voting On A Paper Ballot