If you live in New York City, the next two months are among the most consequential on the electoral calendar. A statewide primary — covering everything from the Governor’s race to competitive U.S. House contests — is just three weeks away, with early voting beginning June 13 and Election Day landing on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. Here is every date, deadline, and race you need to know to participate.
The Big Date: June 23, 2026 — Primary Election Day
The June 23, 2026 primary is a closed primary, meaning only registered Democrats can vote in the Democratic contests and only registered Republicans can vote in Republican contests. Polls open at 6:00 a.m. and close at 9:00 p.m. Your specific ballot will depend on your party enrollment and your district — not every race appears on every ballot.
Depending on where you live in the five boroughs, your ballot may include races for U.S. Congress, New York Governor, New York State Attorney General, New York State Comptroller, State Senate, State Assembly, and certain judicial offices. The NYC Board of Elections has published the full June 23, 2026 Primary Contest List at vote.nyc.
All Deadlines at a Glance
The following dates apply to the June 23 primary for New York City voters and are sourced from the NYC Board of Elections and the New York State Board of Elections:
- June 7, 2026 (Saturday) — Last day to register by mail or online to vote in the primary. Your application must be postmarked or submitted online by this date.
- June 13, 2026 (Saturday) — Registration applications must be received by a Board of Elections by this date. Also the last day to request a mail ballot online or by mail. Early voting begins.
- June 13–21, 2026 — Early voting period. Vote at any early voting site in your borough. Sites and hours vary — check your specific location at vote.nyc.
- June 22, 2026 (Monday) — Last day to request a mail ballot in person at your county Board of Elections.
- June 23, 2026 (Tuesday) — Primary Election Day. Polls: 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Also the last day to return your mail ballot (must be postmarked by June 23; ballots returned by mail must arrive at your county BOE by June 30).
Not yet registered? Visit e-register.vote.nyc or call 1-866-VOTE-NYC (1-866-868-3692). If you have already registered but need to find your early voting site or Election Day poll site, use the NYC BOE poll site finder.
What’s on the Ballot: Key Races for NYC Residents
Governor of New York (Democratic Primary)
Incumbent Governor Kathy Hochul is seeking the Democratic nomination for a second full term. She faces a Democratic primary challenge as progressives in the party have pushed for alternatives. The general election — also on the ballot in this 60-day preview — takes place November 3, 2026, where the Democratic nominee will face Republican Bruce Blakeman and other candidates. Confirm the full candidate list for your district at elections.ny.gov.
U.S. House — New York’s 10th Congressional District (Democratic Primary)
One of the most closely watched races in the city is the Democratic primary in New York’s 10th Congressional District, which covers lower Manhattan, parts of Brooklyn, and several neighborhoods served by this publication. Three candidates appear on the ballot:
- Daniel Goldman (incumbent)
- Nickie Kane
- Brad Lander
A May 2026 Emerson College/PIX11 poll found Lander leading Goldman 57%–23% among likely Democratic primary voters, though polls are a snapshot, not a result. Only registered Democrats in NY-10 will see this race on their ballot. Source: Ballotpedia, citing NYSBOE candidate filings.
U.S. House — New York’s 12th Congressional District (Democratic Primary)
New York’s 12th Congressional District, which covers the Upper West Side, Upper East Side, and parts of Midtown, has an open-seat Democratic primary. Longtime incumbent Jerrold Nadler is not seeking re-election. Ten candidates are running in the Democratic primary, with significant attention on:
- Alex Bores
- George Conway
- Micah Lasher
- Jack Schlossberg
Six additional candidates are also on the ballot. Only registered Democrats in NY-12 will see this race. Source: Ballotpedia News.
U.S. House — New York’s 7th Congressional District (Democratic Primary)
New York’s 7th Congressional District — spanning parts of Brooklyn and Queens, including Sunset Park, Bay Ridge, and neighborhoods along the waterfront — also has an open Democratic primary following the retirement of longtime Representative Nydia Velázquez. Four candidates are running:
- Vichal Kumar
- Antonio Reynoso
- Claire Valdez
- Julie Won
Source: Ballotpedia News, May 2026.
New York State Assembly and Other Down-Ballot Races
Depending on your district, your ballot may also include a State Senate primary, a State Assembly primary, and judicial elections for various courts. The NYC BOE’s full contest list is the definitive source for your specific ballot. Look it up at vote.nyc.
After the Primary: Looking Ahead to November 3, 2026
While November 3, 2026 falls outside the 60-day window from today, it is the date every New York City voter should mark now. The general election will determine the next Governor of New York, the winners of all 26 congressional seats in the state, State Senate and Assembly seats, and more. General election voter registration deadlines will follow closer to October — the 2026 general election early voting runs October 24 through November 1, per the NYS Board of Elections 2026 Election Deadlines.
If you want to be ready for November, the best action you can take right now is to confirm your registration is current for June 23 — the same registration rolls carry forward to November for most voters.
How to Prepare for June 23
1. Confirm your registration. Visit vote.nyc or call 1-866-VOTE-NYC. If you are not registered, you have until June 13 to get your application received by a Board of Elections.
2. Know your party enrollment. New York runs closed primaries. If you are not registered in a party, you will not be able to vote in a party primary. Enrollment changes for future primaries must be made by the prior general election, so if you need to change your party for June 23, it is too late — but note this for November and beyond.
3. Find your poll site. Election Day and early voting sites are different. Use the NYC BOE poll site finder to locate both. Early voting sites are borough-based and you can vote at any early voting location in your borough, not just the one closest to your home. For a detailed walkthrough of how to find your polling site, early voting locations, and mail ballot options, see our dedicated guide: NYC Poll Site, Early Voting, and Mail Ballot Guide.
4. Request a mail ballot if needed. The online/mail deadline to request a mail ballot is June 13. For in-person requests, the deadline is June 22. Request yours at vote.nyc/RequestBallot or through the NYS BOE ballot request portal.
5. Ranked-choice voting may apply. Depending on the race and the office, ranked-choice voting (RCV) may be in effect, allowing you to rank up to five candidates. For a full explainer on how RCV works in New York City primaries, see our guide: Ranked-Choice Voting Decoded.
Quick Reference: 60-Day Election Calendar (June–July 2026)
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| June 13, 2026 | Voter registration application receipt deadline; early voting begins; online/mail ballot request deadline |
| June 13–21, 2026 | Early voting period for June 23 primary |
| June 22, 2026 | Last day to request mail ballot in person |
| June 23, 2026 | Primary Election Day — Polls 6 a.m.–9 p.m.; mail ballot return deadline |
| June 30, 2026 | Deadline for postmarked mail ballots to arrive at county BOE |
Where to Get Official Information
- NYC Board of Elections: vote.nyc — poll site finder, voter registration, mail ballot requests, contest list
- NYS Board of Elections: elections.ny.gov — statewide deadlines, candidate information, registration
- Phone: 1-866-VOTE-NYC (1-866-868-3692)
Every date above is sourced directly from the NYC Board of Elections and the New York State Board of Elections. For the most current information — especially poll site hours during early voting — always verify at vote.nyc before heading out.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is early voting for the June 23, 2026 primary?
Early voting runs from June 13 through June 21, 2026. You can vote at any early voting site in your borough. Find your nearest location at vote.nyc.
What is the voter registration deadline for the June 2026 primary?
Your registration application must be received by a Board of Elections by June 13, 2026. Applications postmarked by June 7 but received after June 13 may not be accepted. Register online at e-register.vote.nyc.
What races are on the June 23, 2026 primary ballot in NYC?
Depending on your district and party enrollment, your ballot may include the Democratic primary for Governor, U.S. House races (including NY-7, NY-10, and NY-12), State Senate, State Assembly, and judicial elections. Use the NYC BOE June 2026 Contest List to see the exact races in your area.
Is ranked-choice voting used in the June 2026 primary?
Ranked-choice voting applies to certain city and state-level races. Check the HelpNewYork RCV explainer and the specific contest rules on the NYC BOE website for the races on your ballot.
How do I request a mail ballot for the June 23, 2026 primary?
Request online or by mail by June 13, or in person at your county Board of Elections by June 22. Use the request portal at vote.nyc/RequestBallot.
When is the 2026 general election?
The general election is November 3, 2026, with early voting from October 24 through November 1, 2026.
