2020 Primaries - What Happened? (also, see Results of the June 23 Primary Election)

A brief timeline of events (with links to news articles) explaining the on-again, off-again New York State 2020 Primary

28 March - Governor Cuomo postpones primary elections to June 23. Primary elections include Presidential, State, Local and Special Elections, which all happen on the same day but are considered to be different elections.  News article | Executive Order

24 April - Due to COVID-19, Governor Cuomo orders sending absentee ballot applications for primary to all registered voters.   News article | Executive Order
Note: In New York, a voter must apply for an absentee ballot by mail by a specific date. They will then receive the ballot by mail, fill it out, and return it by mail by a specific date.

27 April - NYS Board of Elections decides to cancel the Presidential primary election, due to all candidates but Biden dropping out of race. News article 

01 May - Governor Cuomo delays School Board and School Budget elections to June 9, and all voters will receive an absentee ballot.  News article | Executive Order

05 May - Following a lawsuit brought by Presidential Candidate Andrew Yang, NYS U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres reinstates Presidential Primary.  News article 

19 May -  2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan rules that NY must stage its Presidential Primary, and rejected arguments that it could be canceled out of concern for COVID-19. News article

What Happens Now?

Across New York State, absentee ballot applications were mailed to all registered Democrats with a postage-paid return envelope. A limited number of polling places were open for voting in person on June 23, (find your polling place here) and Early Voting took place at the Board of Elections June 13-21. 

Visit Absentee Voting for complete information about the absentee application process and timeline.