Board of Elections

39 W. Main Street
Rochester, NY 14614
Room 106 of the Monroe County Office Building
Hours: M-F 9am-5pm

Phone: (585) 753-1550
Fax: (585)753-1511

TTY: (585)753-1544
CONTACT US

Voter Information

Check My Voter Information Register to Vote Absentee Voting

Statewide Proposals on the 2021 November General Election Ballot

Board of Elections Extended Office Hours for 2021 General Election Absentee Voting:

October 19, 21, 26 & 28 - 9am-7pm

October 23 & 30 - 9am-Noon

If voting by ABSENTEE BALLOT, please note you DO NOT NEED TO PLACE BAR CODES SO THEY ARE VISIBLE in return envelope window!

2021 Election Cycle Reports

Download Forms

Printable Voter Registration Form - English
Printable Voter Registration Form - Spanish
Printable Absentee Ballot Application - English (For Accessible Electronic Application see below)
Solicitud de Papeleta en Ausencia Español
Printable Accessible Absentee Ballot Application (for voters with disabilities)
Ballot Marking Instructions
Voter Feedback Form

Administering Elections In Monroe County

Download Board of Elections 2020 Annual Report

Lisa P Nicolay
Republican Commissioner

Peter D Elder
Republican Deputy Commissioner

Jackie Ortiz
Democratic Commissioner
Natalie Sheppard
Democratic Deputy Commissioner

The Board of Elections Department of Monroe County is responsible for administering all aspects of elections in Monroe County to maintain and facilitate participation in a democratic system of government. The Monroe County Board of Elections conducts all national, state, county, city and town elections. The structure of this agency, its responsibilities and duties are mandated by New York State Election Law. Guidelines for procedures are provided by the rules and regulations defined by the New York State Board of Elections.

The Monroe County Board of Elections is administered by two Commissioners of Elections who serve four year terms. The Commissioners are elected by the county committees of each political party and their appointment is confirmed by the Monroe County Legislature. The Commissioners, each assisted by a Deputy Commissioner and a full-time staff (with equal representation of Democrats and Republicans) provide the technical, clerical, and mechanical skills necessary to provide services; bilingual assistance; information and statistical data to county legislators, other county departments, governmental agencies and to the public.

New York State Board of Elections

40 North Pearl Street, Suite 5
Albany, New York 12207-2729
Phone: 518 474-6220
TTY: Call the New York State Relay 711 (Hearing Impaired)

Visit the NYS Board of Elections

BOE Materials Available For Purchase

Elections Defined

What is a Primary Election?

Picture of US Capitol Building. A “Primary Election” is one in which only enrolled members of a party may vote for the purpose of nominating party candidates and electing party officers. In any election district, if a race is uncontested, no primary is held.

A “Primary Election” is held on the first Tuesday after the second Monday in June before every general election unless otherwise changed by an act of the legislature. Polls are open for voting from 6am until 9:00 p.m.

The board of elections canvasses the returns of the primary elections as early as possible within nine days from the day upon which the primary election is held. The board tabulates the number of votes cast for all the candidates for nomination to each public office or for election to a party position, and the number of votes cast for each such candidate. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes shall be the nominee of his party in the general election for such office or will be elected to a party position.

What is a General Election?

A “General Election” is an election that is being held throughout the state or country on the same day. The most prominent example is the Presidential election held every four years. Examples of statewide general elections include the races for the New York State Governor and New York State Senators.

Monroe County Voting District Maps

The Board of Elections is now able to provide voters and the community with high quality, full color maps. All district maps are available for purchase at the Board of Elections office, however, some are also available for viewing online (see below).

Visit the New York State Board of Elections for maps encompassing state and/or federal jurisdictions.