Early Voting

There are more ways to vote than showing up at the polling place on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3. 

Since the Civil War, when states organized mail-in ballots for soldiers, they have established mail-in ballot processes. Local Boards of Election have also set up locations and dates for early in-person voting. These options help people who worry about being out of town, missing work, avoiding potentially long lines, and want a reliable way to ensure their votes are secure. 

In-Person Early Voting in Monroe County

Monroe County has 15 locations where you can cast your ballot on an electronic machine just like on Election Day. These locations are not the same as Election Day polling places. You can go to any one of them to vote early.

October 24 - November 1, 2026
Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, & Friday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Tuesday & Thursday 12:oo noon - 8:00pm

** ALL EARLY VOTING SITES WILL HAVE A SPANISH LANGUAGE INTERPRETER ON SITE **

Map of all 15 early voting sites

1)  MONROE COUNTY OFFICE BUILDING - 39 W MAIN ST, ROCHESTER, NY 14614 (Public entrances on S.  Fitzhugh St. or Irvine Pl. - ADA entrance on Irvine Pl.)  *(ASL Interpreter on Site)

2)  EDGERTON RECREATION CENTER - 41 BACKUS ST, ROCHESTER, NY 14608

3)  DAVID F GANTT COMMUNITY CENTER - 700 NORTH ST, ROCHESTER, NY 14605

4)  STAYBRIDGE SUITES ROCHESTER UNIVERSITY HOTEL - 1000 GENESEE ST, ROCHESTER, NY 14611

5)  SUSAN B ANTHONY MUSEUM & HOUSE - 17 MADISON ST, ROCHESTER, NY 14608

6)  BRIGHTON FARMERS MARKET - 1435 WESTFALL RD, ROCHESTER, NY 14618 *(ASL Interpreter on Site)

7)  IRONDEQUOIT COMMUNITY CENTER - 450 SKYVIEW CENTRE PKWY SUITE 200, ROCHESTER, NY 14622

8)  GATES PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH - 1049 WEGMAN RD, ROCHESTER, NY 14624

9)  HENRIETTA PUBLIC LIBRARY - 625 CALKINS RD, ROCHESTER, NY 14623 *(ASL Interpreter on Site)

10)  PITTSFORD TOWN COURT - 3750 MONROE AVE, PITTSFORD, NY 14534

11)  PERINTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH - 6511 PITTSFORD PALMYRA RD, FAIRPORT, NY 14450

12)  PENFIELD COMMUNITY CENTER BRAMAN ROOM - 1985 BAIRD RD, PENFIELD, NY 14526

13)  WEBSTER JUSTICE COURT BUILDING - 1002 RIDGE RD, WEBSTER, NY 14580

14)  GREECE TOWN HALL - 1 VINCE TOFANY BLVD, ROCHESTER, NY 14612

15)  SWEDEN CLARKSON COMMUNITY CENTER - 4927 LAKE RD, BROCKPORT, NY 14420

Your in-person early voting votes are not counted until Election Day. If you take advantage of early voting, you are NOT eligible to vote again on Election Day. If you have requested an early vote by mail ballot (see below), you are no longer permitted by New York State election law to cast a ballot on a voting machine. You can still vote in person using an affidavit ballot, which will be counted after Election Day if no absentee or mail-in ballot is received. 

Early Voting By Mail

People who can’t go to the polls on election day can request an absentee ballot, while anyone can request an early mail-in ballot. If you don’t meet the excuse requirement for absentee voting, be sure to request an early mailed-in ballot. You can request your mail ballot now, either at the Board of Elections website (https://elections.ny.gov/request-ballot) or by sending an emailed request to mcboe@monroecounty.gov or by calling 585.753.1550.  

Who Should Vote by Mail?

Mail-in voting makes sense for those who have trouble getting to the polls, for those who, for any reason, feel afraid to go to the polls, and for those who prefer to fill out the ballot in their own home, possibly while researching the races and issues they will vote on. If you choose to vote by mail, you will be able to find out if your ballot reached the Board of Elections and if it was accepted. If there are procedural problems with the ballot, such as forgetting to sign the ballot envelope as directed, you will be allowed to “cure” the ballot. If you request a mail-in ballot but change your mind, you can go to your polling place to vote, but you will be given an affidavit ballot, which will not be counted until the Board of Elections verifies that you did not return your mailed-in ballot.

New York State Absentee Mail-in Voting

New York State offers Excuse-based mail-in ballots.  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 awaiting grand jury action, awaiting trial, or serving a misdemeanor sentence.

Any registered voter may apply for an early mail ballot. Each person must apply for themselves. It is a felony to make a false statement in an application for an early mail ballot, to attempt to cast an illegal ballot, or to help anyone to cast an illegal ballot.  

Check to Be Sure That You Are RegisteredIf you are unsure if you are already registered to vote, you can check your registration status here.  If you are not registered, register as soon as possible. You must be registered to vote by October 24, 2026 for the November 2026 general election.

How to request a Mail-in 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 to Request the Mail-in Ballot

Do not wait to request the mail-in ballot.  Ballots requested will be sent out 46 days prior to the election, or as soon as processed for the requests made after that date.

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

How to Vote By Mail-in Ballot

To vote by mail-in ballot in any elections, follow the instructions carefully.  

  1. Mark the ballot according to your choices for each office following the instructions on the ballot.
  2. Once you have completed marking your ballot, fold it up and place it in the Security Envelope. (This envelope will have a place for your signature.)
  3. Sign and date the outside of the Security Envelope.
  4. Seal the Security Envelope.
  5. All early mail ballots include a pre-paid Return Envelope. Place the Security Envelope in the Return Envelope. (This envelope will have the return address of your county Board of Elections on the outside and should have a logo that reads, “Official Election Mail”.) The Return Envelope does not require any additional postage.

Voters can track their early mail ballot via the Board of Elections' Poll Site Search, Voter Registration, and Mail Ballot Tracker available at https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov/

Mail-in Voting is available for Primaries and General Elections

For the November 3, 2026 General Election:

  1. Put it in the mail ensuring it receives a postmark no later than November 3rd. Must be received by the County Board of Elections no later than November 10th.  Bear in mind that the post office no longer ensures that your mail will be stamped with a post mark the day that you mail it.  To be certain, take the mail to a post office and ask for it to be hand stamped in front of you; or
  2. Bring it to your County Board of Elections Office no later than November 3rd by 9pm; or
  3. Bring it to an early voting poll site in your county between October 24th and November 1st; or
  4. Bring it to a poll site in your county on November 3rd by 9.

 

In order to be counted, an Early Vote by Mail Ballot must be postmarked by Election Day. It can also be dropped off into a  Ballot Drop Box which will be located at ever polling site throughout early voting and also on Election Day.