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.
CAN I vote?
To be eligible to vote in New York state, you must:
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.
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:
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.