Voting by Absentee Ballot

The Absentee Process

Click here to apply online for an absentee ballot.

2022 CHANGE TO ABSENTEE VOTING: Voters who have been issued an absentee ballot may no longer vote in person on a machine. This is true whether they have submitted their absentee ballot or not. Should a voter desire to vote in person they must complete an affidavit ballot.

Once absentee ballots become available at the BOE, you can get your ballot by mail OR you can receive and cast your ballot in-person all in one trip to the Dutchess County Board of Elections.

In order to obtain an absentee ballot, you must complete an absentee ballot application. All absentee ballot applications can be mailed or brought to the Dutchess County Board of Elections in person. Faxed copies will be accepted.

You may download and print the absentee ballot application;

English Absentee Ballot Application (.pdf)

Spanish Absentee Ballot Application (.pdf)

An absentee ballot application may also be obtained by visiting the Dutchess County Board of Elections or by calling us at 845-486-2473.

If you are a Military voter or a citizen living outside of the United States, please visit our Military and Overseas Voting Page.

Accessible Absentee Voting

Voters using the Accessible Absentee Ballot System in need of printing services in order to print their ballot can access such services at certain public printing resources, including but not limited to, libraries, print stores, shipping stores and office supply stores. Voters should contact their local printing resources for details on the printing services offered. Voters using the Accessible Absentee Ballot System can also print their absentee ballots at the County Board offices.

In-person voting using an Accessible Ballot Marking Device (“BMD”) during early voting or on Election Day is still available to voters with a disability who do not want to vote by absentee ballot using the Accessible Absentee Ballot System. See links to the Accessible Electronic Ballot Application Portal and the Accessible Absentee Ballot Application below:

Accessible Electronic Ballot Application Portal

Accessible Absentee Ballot Application with Instructions

Absentee Ballot Drop-Off

In an effort to minimize delays during in-person voting Dutchess County has developed this plan for absentee ballot drop-off for elections.

Dutchess County voters may drop off a completed absentee ballot at our office or any early voting pollsite during operating hours without waiting in line with in-person voters. Look for the “Skip the Line – Absentee Ballot Drop Off” once you enter the drop-off location, you will be assisted by our dedicated election inspectors to the absentee ballot receptacle where you may deposit your ballot.

Voting by Special Presidential Ballot

If you meet the below requirements you must complete a special presidential application and vote on a special presidential ballot on which the only office to appear is that for the electors for President and Vice President.

You must have been registered in Dutchess County prior to your move, and your move out of this county must have occurred after the 30th day preceding this presidential election.
You must have missed the voter registration deadline and/or residency requirement in the new county or state to which you moved, and thus unable to register from your new address.

Absentee FAQ’s

An absentee ballot is a paper ballot. It has a special outer envelope labeled with your name so staff can authenticate it against our records. The actual voted ballot inside will be separated from the outer envelope before counting. In this manner, your vote remains secret.

Keep in mind that unless you sign and date the oath on the outer envelope and the ballot is enclosed in the SEALED outer envelope, your ballot will not be counted.

This ballot, if mailed must be postmarked no later than election day or, if delivered by proxy, must be received by the Board of Elections no later than the close of polls on election day — 9:00 PM.

Who is eligible for an absentee ballot?

Qualifications to Vote by Absentee Ballot are as follows:

Absent from your county or, if a resident of New York City is absent from said city, on Election Day.
Unable to appear at the polls due to temporary or permanent illness or disability; or because you are the primary care giver of one or more individuals who are ill or physically disabled.

A patient or inmate in a Veterans’ Administration Hospital.
Detained in jail awaiting Grand Jury action or confined in prison after conviction for an offense other than a felony.

Remember, unless you are eligible for a permanent absentee ballot (see below) or will be continuously absent between the dates of the primary and general election, you must file an application for each election.

How do I apply for an ABSENTEE BALLOT?

It’s easy. You may request an absentee ballot application at any time.

Download a PDF version of our Absentee Ballot Application Form (.pdf)

You may also apply in person at the Board of Elections, have someone pick up the application for you or print out a copy above.

If applying in person (or someone you have designated is delivering it for you) you may do so up until close of business on the day before the election.

Upon completion, the application can be (1) mailed to the board of Elections and it must be arrive no later than fifteen days before the election or (2) delivered in person no later than the day before the election.

Who is eligible to be a PERMANENT ABSENTEE voter?

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 Board of Elections and check the box “permanent illness or physical disability.” You will then automatically receive an absentee ballot for every election thereafter in which you are qualified to vote until your registration is canceled.

Who can vote by Absentee in a Primary Election?

In New York State you may not vote in a primary election unless you are enrolled in a political party holding a primary. In this case, an absentee ballot would not be issued to anyone not enrolled in a party.

You may enroll in a party at any time, however there is a blackout period between February 14th and June 30th. If you submit your change of enrollment during that time, it would take effect after the blackout period has ended.