Early Voting Starts Tomorrow! Here's What To Expect In New York

Groups in NYC, Long Island, Buffalo, Hudson Valley and more will host marches, rallies, and rides to the polls to celebrate start of early voting; The statewide nonpartisan Election Protection coalition will have hundreds of volunteers at poll sites and on the phones to protect voters and answer questions

ALBANY, NY (10/23/2026) (readMedia)-- Tomorrow, Saturday, October 24th, is the first day of early voting in New York State and the only day that unregistered New Yorkers can register and cast their ballot on the same day. Early voting runs for nine days, through Sunday, November 1st. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3rd. Find your early voting poll site and more information here.

Community groups will kick off this year's Election Protection program with events across the state. Press interested in speaking with or trailing Election Protection volunteers during early voting or on Election Day should contact becky@pythiapublic.com or noah@pythiapublic.com.

"Don't let any disinformation about our elections stop you from making your voice heard. Our elections are safe, secure, and run by and for New Yorkers just as always. Nothing has changed for voters, and trained volunteers will be ready at the polls to protect your voting rights and answer any questions. If you have any questions, our 866-OUR-VOTE hotline will have trained volunteers ready to assist you and answer questions in multiple languages. We encourage every voter to make a plan, and get out the early vote!" said Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause New York.

Statewide Events

Election Protection coalition partners will hold actions across the state to celebrate the start of early voting and encourage New Yorkers to vote early:

  • New York City: Queens Says No Kings will host a March to the Polls on Saturday, October 24, from 2:00 - 4:00PM. The march will begin at MacDonald Park in Forest Hills, Queens, and continue to Queens Borough Hall.
  • Long Island: Make the Road New York and New York Communities for Change will host a party bus to bring voters to the polls in NY-3 and NY-4, and a Get Out The Early Vote rally at 12:00PM, October 24th, at Kennedy Park in Hicksville.
  • Hudson Valley: Hudson Valley NAACP will have a float at the Nyack Halloween Parade on October 24 reminding New Yorkers to get out the early vote. Advocates will also hold a Voter Education Rally on Sunday, October 25th from 2:00 - 6:00PM at the Palisades Center in West Nyack. Hudson Valley NAACP will also host a "Souls to the Polls" in NY-17 on October 25th.
  • Rochester: Knowledge and Action ROC will host a "MC Rides to Polls" every day of Early Voting and on Election Day.
  • Syracuse: 1199SEIU will host a "Souls to the Polls" on Saturday, October 24.
  • Buffalo: Open Buffalo will host a "Souls to the Polls" on Saturday, October 24.

Early Voting

Voters are encouraged to make a plan to vote and take advantage of early voting in person or by mail. Voting early allows New Yorkers to vote on their own schedule, gives them more time to address any potential registration issues, and helps them avoid lines on Election Day. Registered voters can request a mail ballot online or by mail until October 24, or in-person at their county Board of Elections until November 2. Mail ballots must be postmarked by November 3 and received by November 10. If voters prefer to vote on Election Day, polls will be open from 6:00AM to 9:00PM. For additional details about important election and voting deadlines, visit the State Board of Elections website. Any voters unsure of whether they are already registered can check their registration status online here.

Election Protection

The Election Protection coalition has hosted dozens of training sessions for volunteers across the state in recent weeks. Throughout early voting and on Election Day, hundreds of poll monitors will be deployed statewide, including in New York City, and Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland, Westchester, Onondaga, Clinton, Jefferson, Erie, Dutchess, Columbia, Cortland, Oneida, and Broome counties. Monitors will be available to help voters understand the process, observe for any misconduct, and assist voters in multiple languages with questions or concerns.

Voters who run into any issues or witness any misconduct are encouraged to call the 866-OUR-VOTE hotline, where trained legal personnel can answer questions. Language assistance is available through the Election Protection website and the following numbers:

  • 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682) – Spanish language hotline
  • 844-YALLA-US (844-925-5287) – Arabic language hotline
  • 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683) – Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Bangla, Hindi, Urdu and Tagalog hotline
  • 301-818-VOTE (301-818-8683) – American Sign Language video call number

If voters are unsure about what they see online, or have any questions about deadlines or where they're supposed to vote, they should rely on official sources. Check with local Boards of Elections or the New York State Board of Elections website.