If you are planning to vote in the November, 2026 elections and have been away in the first part of 2026 with your mail forwarded to another address, you may have been placed on the “inactive” voter list.

This can happen because the Board of Elections mails a postcard in late winter to all registered voters in the county, with your registration address, voting location and election district. The postcard is not forwardable: it is returned to the “sender” in this case the Suffolk County Board of Elections. The presumption is that you no longer reside at the address the card was sent to.

You can easily confirm your voter status online at https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov/ which is the NYS Board of Elections website. Once you’ve entered your county, last and first names, date of birth, zip code and press “search”, you will see your Poll Site, Registration, and Mail Ballot Information, which includes your voter status (active or inactive), as well as all your district information.

If your status is inactive, the Board of Elections advises that you fill out and submit a new voter registration form, with your correct address. That will supersede the prior information and you will be returned to active status.

For more information, contact the Suffolk County Board of Elections at 631 853-4500 or visit SuffolkVotes.gov.