Voting by Absentee Ballot

The Absentee Process

Apply online for an absentee ballot here.

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 or emailed 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

If you are visually impaired or otherwise disabled, such that your disability requires you to use an accessible absentee ballot application, you have two accessible options to request a ballot on this page, either using the Accessible Electronic Ballot Application Portal or completing the Accessible Absentee Ballot Application below:

Accessible Electronic Ballot Application Portal

Accessible Absentee Ballot Application with Instructions

Absentee Ballot Contactless Drop-Off Plan for the General Election 2021

In an effort to minimize delays during in-person voting and to promote contactless voting, Dutchess County has developed this plan for absentee ballot drop-off for the 2021 General Election.

Dutchess County voters may drop off a completed absentee ballot at the following locations 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. Please wear a mask and adhere to social distancing guidelines while at these locations.

Dutchess County Board of Elections, 112 Delafield Street, Poughkeepsie, NY

Monday – Friday 9 AM – 5 PM (Sept. 21 through Election Day)

Early Voting Sites: October 23^rd through October 31^st, 2021

Rhinebeck Town Hall, 80 Market Street, Rhinebeck, NY
Fishkill Town Hall, 807 Route 52, Fishkill, NY
Boardman Road Library, 141 Boardman Rd, Poughkeepsie, NY
Cornell Cooperative Center, 2715 US-44, Millbrook, NY
Mid Hudson Library Auditorium, 105 Market Street, Poughkeepsie, NY

Hours of Early Voting: October23^rd through October 31^st, 2021

Saturday, October 23^rd – 10 AM to 3 PM
Sunday, October 24^th – 9 AM to 2 PM
Monday, October 25^th – 9 AM to 5 PM
Tuesday, October 26^th – 12 noon to 8 PM
Wednesday, Oct. 27^th – 9 AM to 5 PM
Thursday, October 28^th – 12 noon to 8 PM
Friday, October 29^th – 9 AM to 5 PM
Saturday, October 30^th – 10 AM to 3 PM
Sunday, October 31^st – 9 AM to 2 PM

All Election Day Voting Locations

Tuesday November 2^rd, 2021 – polls are open from 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM

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 postmarked no later than seven 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.

Can I fax or email an application to your office?

Absentee applications can be faxed or emailed for the 2020 General Election.