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Request a Ballot – Voting by Absentee Ballot

Apply for an Absentee Ballot

Who May Apply for an Absentee Ballot

You may qualify to vote absentee for the following reasons:
  1. Absent from your county or, if a resident of New York City absent from the five boroughs, on Election Day.
  2. Unable to appear at the polls due to temporary or permanent illness or disability.
  3. Unable to appear because you are the primary care giver of one or more individuals who are ill or physically disabled.
  4. A resident or patient of a Veterans Health Administration Hospital.
  5. In jail or prison for any reason other than a felony conviction. This includes anyone who is awaiting grand jury action, awaiting trial, or serving a sentence for a misdemeanor.

How to Apply for An Absentee Ballot

You may apply for an absentee ballot in any of the following ways:
  • Apply online.

Absentee Ballot Application

  • If you have a print disability, which means any disability that interferes with the effective reading, writing, or use of printed material, and require a ballot with accessible features you may apply using the online Accessible Ballot Application portal. Print disabilities include blindness, low vision, dyslexia, dysgraphia, learning disabilities, and physical disabilities that limit writing abilities. For more information, see the Accessible Ballot section below.
  • Apply in-person at:

Lewis County Board of Elections 7513 East State Street, Lowville, New York 13367

  • By designating another person to deliver your application in-person to Lewis County Board of Elections and receive your ballot.
  • You can download a PDF version of the New York State Absentee Ballot Application Form:

Absentee Ballot Application Form

If you cannot pick up your ballot, you have the right to designate someone to pick it up for you. Only that person designated on your application may pick up and deliver your ballot. If you are permanently ill or disabled, you have the right to receive an Absentee Ballot for each subsequent election without further application. Simply file an application with your county board of elections indicating permanent illness or physical disability. You will then automatically receive an absentee ballot for every election until your registration is canceled.

When is your absentee ballot application due?

Applications requesting to receive an absentee ballot by mail must be received by the board of elections in your county no later than ten days before the election. For absentee ballots to be received in-person, applications must be received by your board no later than the day before the election.

When will ballots be sent?

Your absentee ballot materials will be sent to you beginning 46 days before federal, state, county, city or town elections in which you are eligible to vote. If you applied after this date, your ballot will be sent immediately after your completed and signed application is received and processed by the Lewis County Board of Elections.