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:

• N.Y. Absentee Request Portal (recommended):
  On-campus students should format their mailing address as:
  BU Box ####
  PO Box 6020
  Binghamton, N.Y. 13902-6020
  
  On-campus students who are registered in NYC should format their mailing address as:
  Street Number: Box #####
  Street Name: PO BOX 6020
  Binghamton, N.Y. 13902
• Blank N.Y. absentee ballot application

Request to Vote Early Via Mail in New York State

Any registered NY voter may apply for an early mail ballot.

• N.Y. Early Mail Ballot Request Portal (recommended):
  On-campus students should format their mailing address as:
  BU Box ####
  PO Box 6020
  Binghamton, N.Y. 13902-6020
  
  On-campus students who are registered in NYC should format their mailing address as:
  Street Number: Box #####
  Street Name: PO BOX 6020
  Binghamton, N.Y. 13902
• Blank N.Y. Early Vote by Mail Request

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

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

• What if I miss the deadline to request a ballot?
  Review your options for in-person voting or contact your county board of elections.

• 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 New York Mail Ballot Tracker. Mail ballot procedures vary from state to state; contact your local election officials for the most accurate information.

• I’ve 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 clarified its procedures regarding postmarking. 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.