To be able to vote in the November 8, 2016 General Election you must be registered to vote. This page has information on how to register to vote in New York State. If you live in another state try using the League of Women Voters registration tool: http://www.vote411.org/register.
DEADLINE: Friday, October 14, 2016.
Your Voter Registration Form must be submitted to the NYS Board of Elections by October 14.
Eligibility
To register in New York State for the 2016 General Election you must meet the following criteria:
- be a United States citizen;
- be 18 years old by November 8;
- live at your present address in New York State at least 30 days before an election;
- not be in prison or on parole for a felony conviction;
- not be adjudged mentally incompetent by a court;
- not claim the right to vote elsewhere.
The above qualifications were taken from the New York State Board of Elections web site: http://www.elections.ny.gov/VotingRegister.html
Check If and Where You Are Registered
If you are not sure whether you are registered to vote follow this link and enter your information:
https://voterlookup.elections.state.ny.us/votersearch.aspx
Changing Your Registration
You also need to complete the Registration process outlined below if any of the following has changed:
- Your Address (since the last time you registered)
- Your Party Affiliation (changing from one political party to another)
- Your Name (since you last voted)
How to Register to Vote
In New York State there are three ways to register to vote:
- In-Person
- Mail-in
- Online
Option 1: In-Person Registration
Deadline
You must submit your application by October 14, 2016.
Special Note: if you are honorably discharged from the US Military or you become a naturalized Citizen of the US after the October 14 deadline, then you may register at one of the Board of Elections offices (listed below) until October 29, 2016.
What to Bring
- Identification. in order to verify your identity you need one of the following: driver’s license, non-diver ID, Social Security Number. If you don’t have one of those bring a valid photo ID (CUNY Student ID counts) and a document that shows your name and address (such as: paycheck, government check, utility bill, bank statement).
- Blue or Black ink pen (not required but just in case)
- The Voter Registration form (not required but just in case)
The Voter Registration Form: download here. While these agencies should have the Voter Registration Form, if you can, bring your own just in case.
Where to Go
There are a number of official locations where you can walk in and register to vote:
-
Department of Motor Vehicles
To find a DMV near you visit this page: https://dmv.ny.gov/offices -
County Boards of Elections.
Borough Board locations: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island
View full NYS County Board Map -
NYS Agency Offices
Through the National Voter Registration Act you may also register to vote when you use services at various state agencies. For a list visit this link: http://www.elections.ny.gov/NVRA.html
Option 2: Mail-in Registration
Deadline:
You may also mail in your registration form.
Your application form must be postmarked October 14, 2016. It must be received by the Board of Elections by October 19, 2016
How to Get a Mail-in Application Form
There are a number of ways to get your form:
- Download and Print it: http://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/download/voting/voteform.pdf
- CUNY students, faculty and staff can get a postage paid form through their CUNYfirst account. Click Here for more information.
- Call 1-800-FOR-VOTE (1-800-367-8682) and they will mail it to you
- Request a form online and they will mail it to you: http://www.elections.ny.gov/VoterRegFormRequest.html
- You can also get one in person at the agencies listed above and then mail it in.
- Members of the US Military and NY Residents living overseas can complete the following form and mail it to the Board of Elections: https://www.fvap.gov/uploads/FVAP/Forms/fpca2013.pdf. More information can be found here: https://newyork.overseasvotefoundation.org/vote/home.htm
Where to Mail your Application
Mail in your completed form to the County Board of Elections in the county where you live.
New York County Board of Elections (Manhattan)
200 Varick Street - 10th Floor
New York, NY 10014
Phone: 212-886-2100
Fax: 646-638-2047
Bronx County Board of Elections (Bronx)
1780 Grand Concourse-5th Floor
Bronx, NY 10457
Phone: 718-299-9017
Fax: 718-299-2140
Queens County Board of Elections (Queens)
118-35 Queens Boulevard
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Phone: 718-730-6730
Fax: 718-459-3384
Kings County Board of Elections (Brooklyn)
345 Adams Street - 4th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: 718-797-8800
Fax: 718-246-5958
Richmond County Board of Elections (Staten Island)
1 Edgewater Plaza, 4th Floor
Staten Island, NY 10305
Phone: 718-876-0079
Fax: 718-876-0912
Option 3: Online Voter Registration
Eligibility:
You can only register online if you already have a NYS Driver License, Permit or Non-Driver
Deadline:
You must submit your online application by October 14, 2016.
How to Register Online
Option 1: Visit the following link and complete the form: https://voterreg.dmv.ny.gov/MotorVoter/
Option 2: You can also register through the MyDMV site by doing the following:
- Create a MyDMV account: https://my.dmv.ny.gov/crm/?register=T
- Sign in to MyDMV: https://dmv.ny.gov/mydmv/mydmv
- Click on Register to Vote and complete the form
The DMV will then send your completed form to the County Board of Elections for approval and processing.
Student Voters
As a student you can register to vote either at the location of your college or at home. Register at the address you consider your primary legal residence. You can find out more at the Brennan Center’s Student Voting Guide for New York.
Homeless Voters
If you are homeless you can still register to vote. This PDF from the League of Women Voters has more detailed information:http://www.lwvny.org/advocacy/vote/RTVHomelessIndividuals.pdf
Overseas and Military Voters
Information on how to register to vote and vote can be found on this web site: https://newyork.overseasvotefoundation.org/vote/home.htm. You will be able to request and submit a ballot here https://ny.secureballotusa.com/NY_loginSelection.action
Events
- National Voter Registration Day, September 27, 2016 http://nationalvoterregistrationday.org/. You can find local events on that web site or here at the New York City Campaign Finance Board
- Student Voter Registration Day, Thursday, October 6, 2016 http://www.nyccfb.info/nyc-votes/programs/svrd
Get Involved
- Volunteer Match: View their Voter Registration Opportunities
- NYC Campaign Finance Board has volunteer opportunities. View their listings. You can attend one of their meetings, info here. Also if you are planning and event, they can help.
- Volunteer with Rock the Vote: more info.
- NYPIRG Student Network (New York Public Interest Research Group) has job, volunteer and internship opportunities for students. Complete this form and select “Voter Mobilization & Voting Rights” as one of the issues that interest you.
Resources
- New York State Voter Registration Form: this is the form that myst be recieved by the NY Board of Elections in one way or another: http://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/download/voting/voteform.pdf
- New York State Voter Information Lookup: https://voterlookup.elections.state.ny.us/votersearch.aspx
- New York State Board of Elections Registration Information: http://www.elections.ny.gov/VotingRegister.html
- Overseas and Military Voters: https://newyork.overseasvotefoundation.org/vote/home.htm
- CUNY Students, Faculty and Staff: you can contact your CUNY Voter Registration Coordinator for more information.
- New York State Board of Elections Voting Information: http://www.elections.ny.gov/VotingRegister.html
- NY DMV Electronic Voter Registration Information: https://dmv.ny.gov/more-info/electronic-voter-registration-application
- Vote 411 Online Tool: http://www.vote411.org/register
- Federal Voting Assistance Program: https://www.fvap.gov/new-york