What Do I Need When I Go to Vote?

NY does not require identification to be presented at the polling location, except in rare circumstances.  The “Help America Vote Act” (HAVA) which was enacted into law in 2002, requires all first-time voters to provide additional identification either on or with the voter registration application, i.e., the driver’s license number, non- driver’s ID number or the last four digits of your social security number. If you do not provide your driver’s license number or the last four digits of your social security number at the time you submit your registration form by mail, you can include a copy of any of the following documentation with your registration application: Current and Valid Photo ID; Current Utility Bill; Bank Statement; Government Check or Paycheck; Government Document that shows Name and Address. If the voter has not provided any of the acceptable forms of identification by the time they vote in an Election event, the voter will not be allowed to vote on the poll site voting system, but will be able to vote by affidavit ballot. The voter will not be denied the right to vote.