Political party enrollment is optional but in order to vote in a primary election of a political party, a voter must enroll in that political party.

You may vote by absentee ballot in New York if you expect to be:

• Absent from your county or, if a resident of New York City, absent from New York City, on Election Day
• Unable to appear at the polls due to illness or physical disability or because you are the primary care giver of one or more individuals who are ill or physically disabled
• A resident or patient of a Veterans Health Administration Hospital
• Detained in jail awaiting Grand Jury action or confined in prison after conviction for an offense other than a felony.

Registered voters do not need to show ID to vote, unless they did not provide identification with their registration.

First time voters must provide identification either on or with their voter registration application. If you have not provided ID by Election Day, you are still allowed to vote by affidavit ballot, but not using the poll site scanner.

Acceptable ID includes entering one of the following on your Voter Registration Application:

• Driver's license number
• Non-driver's ID number
• 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 on your registration form, 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