Election Day 2026 is Tuesday, Nov. 3, but New Yorkers can cast their ballots early to avoid the Election Day rush.
In-person early voting runs from Saturday, Oct. 24, through Sunday, Nov. 1, according to the New York State Board of Elections. Early-voting hours vary by county.
Democrats hold an advantage in national generic congressional ballot polling heading into the midterm elections. In New York, a recent Emerson College Polling/PIX11 News survey showed Kathy Hochul leading Bruce Blakeman 52% to 40%, with 8% undecided. The survey of 900 likely New York voters was conducted Oct. 3-5.
Closely watched U.S. House races, along with contests for the state Senate and Assembly, could also help shape the election results.
Here's what New York voters
need to know about early voting, registration deadlines, Election Day hours and national polling and forecasts for the 2026 midterms.
When is early voting in New York?
In-person early voting runs from Saturday, Oct. 24, through Sunday, Nov. 1.
Polling hours vary by county and location. Voters can find their assigned early-voting sites and schedules through the New York State Board of Elections. Outside New York City, voters may visit any assigned early-voting center in their county. New York City voters are assigned to a specific early-voting site.
When is the deadline to register to vote in New York?
The deadline to register to vote in New York's 2026 general election is Saturday, Oct. 24.
Registration applications submitted online, by mail or in person must be received by the appropriate board of elections by that date.
Voters can register through the New York State Board of Elections, their county board of elections, a local Department of Motor Vehicles office or another participating state agency.
To register to vote in New York, a person must:
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Be at least 18 years old to vote, although 16- and 17-year-olds may preregister.
- Have lived in New York and the county, city or village where the person plans to vote for at least 30 days before the election.
- Not be in prison for a felony conviction.
- Not have been adjudged mentally incompetent by a court.
- Not claim the right to vote elsewhere.
People who have been released from prison after a felony conviction may register to vote, including those on parole, probation or supervised release.
Voters can request a registration form by calling 1-800-367-8683 or using the state's Voter Registration Form Request service.
Completed registration forms must be signed, dated and received by the voter's county board of elections no later than Oct. 24.
When is Election Day 2026?
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
All 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and 35 seats in the U.S. Senate are being contested in 2026. The Senate total includes 33 regularly scheduled Class II elections and special elections in Florida and Ohio.
New York polling places will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Unofficial results are expected to begin coming in after polls close, although closely contested races may take longer to call.
Key dates for the 2026 midterm elections
- Saturday, Oct. 24: Registration applications must be received by a board of elections.
- Saturday, Oct. 24: First day of in-person early voting.
- Saturday, Oct. 24: Deadline for a county board of elections to receive an absentee or early mail ballot application submitted by mail or through the online portal.
- Sunday, Nov. 1: Last day of in-person early voting.
- Monday, Nov. 2: Deadline to apply in person for an absentee or early mail ballot.
- Tuesday, Nov. 3: Election Day. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Tuesday, Nov. 3: Mail ballots must be postmarked by this date. Ballots returned in person must be delivered to a county board of elections or poll site in the voter's county by the close of polls.
- Tuesday, Nov. 10: Deadline for county boards of elections to receive mail ballots that were postmarked by Nov. 3.
Voters can review ballot application and return requirements through the New York State Board of Elections.
Who is leading in the 2026 midterm elections?
Democrats hold an advantage in national generic congressional ballot polling heading into the midterm elections.
In an average of polls conducted from Sept. 24 through Oct. 13, RealClearPolling showed Democrats leading Republicans 50% to 42%, an 8-point advantage. Polling averages change as new surveys are released and are not predictions of the final outcome.
Some election forecasts also favor Democrats in the battle for control of the House, although projections vary and can change as new polling and race ratings become available.
The outlook for Senate control is less settled. Thirty-five Senate seats are on the ballot in 2026, including 33 regularly scheduled Class II elections and special elections in Florida and Ohio. Forecasts differ on which party is favored to control the chamber.
Prediction markets, including Polymarket and Kalshi, provide another snapshot of expectations, but their prices can change quickly and should not be treated as polling or definitive election forecasts.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: When does early voting start in New York? Key 2026 election dates to know
