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Vote!: Registration

Find out information about voting

DATES to know

Vote NYC button FALL 2020! 

Information from Gov. Cuomo as of September 8, 2020:

For the first time in our state's history, all registered voters can request an absentee ballot (under the "temporary illness" excuse). If you choose to vote by absentee ballot, then there are several ways you can cast your completed, signed ballot.

1. Put it in the mail ensuring it receives a postmark no later than November 3
2. Drop it off at an Early Voting poll site between October 24 and November 1
3. Drop it off at a poll site on November 3 by 9pm (find your polling place here)
4. Drop it off at your county Board of Elections Office starting September 8 through no later than November 3 by 9pm

Note that early voting starts October 24! Whatever method you choose, make sure your voice is heard!

Learn more about early voting and absentee voting here.

 

How to register to vote

CAN I vote?

To be eligible to vote in New York state, you must:

  • be a United States citizen (if you have a green card, you cannot vote - but as of Jan 23, 2020, the NYC City Council is debating whether or not to allow green card holders to vote in CITY elections; keep an eye on the news to see what they decide, but even if they say yes, the change would probably not happen until 2021);
  • be 18 years old by December 31 (you must be at least 18 years old by the date of the election in which you want to vote);
  • resident of this state and the county, city or village for at least 30 days before the election;
  • not be in prison or on parole for a felony conviction (unless parolee pardoned or restored rights of citizenship);
  • not be adjudged mentally incompetent by a court;
  • not claim the right to vote elsewhere.

How can I find out more about my rights as a voter?

The New York City Campaign Finance Board has some general information about voting rights.

If you are currently homeless or worry that you might be by the time election day comes, you still absolutely have the right to vote. See this League of Women Voters page and this Coalition for the Homeless page for more information on your rights.

If you are on parole, you MIGHT be able to vote because of changes to the law in April 2018 - please see this New York Courts page as well as this NY State page and this NYCLU page for more information. 

 

How to register

I can't remember if I already registered - how can I find out?

​If you're not sure whether you're registered to vote, you can check here if you're a resident of NY State and check here if you're a resident of a different state (you can change the drop-down menu that says "I'm a resident of..."). 

HOW do I register to vote? Is it too late?

CUNY has made it easy! You should be able to fill out a voter registration form directly on your CUNYFirst account - look for the New York State Voter Registration Form, which should look like this:CUNYFirst New York State Voter Registration Form

OR if you prefer, you can download a voter registration form right here (look at the bottom of this box), fill it out, and mail it or bring it in person to your borough's board of elections (find the address to the right) or to any one of these state agencies. 

DEADLINES (taken from the NY State Board of Elections site)

MAIL REGISTRATION

Applications must be postmarked no later than October 9, 2020 and received by a board of elections no later than October 14, 2020 to be eligible to vote in the general election.

OR

IN PERSON REGISTRATION 
You may register at your local board of elections or any state agency participating in the National Voter Registration Act, on any business day throughout the year but, to be eligible to vote in the General Election, your application must be received no later than October 9, 2020. If honorably discharged from the US Military or have become a naturalized US Citizen after October 9, 2020, you may register in person at the Board of Elections up until October 24, 2020.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS 
Notices of change of address from registered voters received by October 14, 2020 by a county board of elections must be processed and entered in the records in time for the General Election.

See the New York State Board of Elections or the New York City Board of Elections in English or en español for more answers to questions about voter registration.

 

If you live in New Jersey, please see here for information about voter registration.