Can Someone in Jefferson County Jail Vote? Step-by-Step Guide to Absentee and Early Mail Ballots

Yes. A person in jail or prison for any reason other than a felony conviction can vote by absentee ballot.

In Jefferson County, any registered voter in New York State can apply for an early mail ballot. The application is per person, so even if you're helping someone from the outside, the request is still tied to the individual voter. The key rule for people in custody is the reason for incarceration. If the person is in jail or prison for anything other than a felony conviction, they can vote by absentee ballot. That covers many people in a county jail, including those awaiting trial or serving time for something that isn't a felony. Not sure whether the person's situation qualifies? Focus on getting the correct application submitted for that voter and on meeting deadlines. Each voter must apply individually.

Jefferson County offers several ways to apply for an early mail ballot. Pick whichever fits the person's situation best. You can apply online through the Early Mail Ballot Application Portal, apply in person at the Jefferson County Board of Elections office, or apply by mail using the downloadable PDF application forms (available in English and Spanish). For someone in custody, the biggest hurdle is usually access. Online submission tends to be fastest when the voter can complete it themselves. The mailed PDF form works well if you can print it, get it to the voter to fill out, and then have it sent in.

If the voter can't easily submit the application on their own, Jefferson County allows a "designated representative" option. The voter authorizes someone to deliver their early mail ballot application and pick up their ballot. For families, this can make the difference between a ballot request that stalls out and one that moves on time. It's especially helpful when mail delays or limited access make it tough for the voter to handle every step from inside.

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• ✓ By mail: Your early mail ballot application must be received by the county Board of Elections no later than October 25, 2025.
• ✓ In person: Your application must be submitted no later than Monday, November 3, 2025.

A completed early mail ballot returned by mail must be postmarked no later than Election Day, Tuesday, November 4, 2025. For someone in jail, that means building in extra time for the ballot to be completed and handed off for mailing well before the deadline.

• ✓ Return it in person at the Jefferson County Board of Elections office.
• ✓ Return it at the Board of Elections dropbox located out front of the County Office Building.
• ✓ Return it at any early voting site between October 25 and November 2, 2025.
• ✓ Return it at any poll site on Election Day, as long as it is returned by 9:00 PM.

Voters with visual impairments can request an accessible absentee ballot through the online Accessible Absentee Ballot Portal. There's also an in-person option: voters may use an accessible Ballot Marking Device (BMD) during early voting or on Election Day.

1. Confirm the plan with the Jefferson County Board of Elections – Before you move paperwork around, make sure you understand which ballot type the voter is using and how it will be submitted and returned.
2. Choose the simplest application method for the voter – Use the Early Mail Ballot Application Portal when the voter can apply online, or use the downloadable English or Spanish PDF form when applying by mail makes more sense.
3. Use a designated representative when the voter needs hands-on delivery help – If the voter can’t easily deliver the application or pick up the ballot, the voter may authorize a designated representative to deliver the application and pick up the ballot.