VOTE

There are many ways to cast your vote

First, if you’re NOT registered to vote in New York City, or you need to change your address or party affiliation, New York offers online voter registration  through the Department of Motor Vehicles.  You can also register by mail  by printing a voter registration form, filling it out, and mailing it to your local election office.  You may also obtain Registration Forms from libraries, post offices, and most New York City government agencies.  For complete instructions visit  https://vote.nyc/page/register-vote

You can also register to vote in person if you prefer.

Executive Office, 32-42 Broadway, 7 Fl, New York, NY 10004, Tel: 1-212-487-5400 
Manhattan, 200 Varick Street, 10 Fl, New York, NY 10014, Tel: 1-212-886-2100, Fax: 1-646-638-2047

• The deadline to register is October 9, 2020 – if you mail it, the postmark MUST be Oct. 9; if you bring it to a BOE location they will be open till 9pm on Oct. 9th.
• To check your registration, visit: https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov/
• If your address is incorrect, you have until October 14, 2020 to update it
• Not sure if you’re registered? Check here

We have now passed the above deadlines.

Once you are registered, you may vote three ways:

1. Vote in person on Election Day (11/3).  Some polling locations have changed, so check here:  http://findmypollsite.vote.nyc
2. Vote in person at the nearest early voting site to your home between 10/24 – 11/1.  Check here to see the list of assigned early voting locations:  http://findmypollsite.vote.nyc 
   Early voting hours have been extended for Friday, Oct. 30: 7 am-5 pm; Saturday, Oct. 31: 7 am-5 pm; Sunday, Nov. 1: 7 am-4 pm 
3. Vote by absentee ballot, by requesting an absentee ballot by 10/27  – this can be done online or by downloading the form and mailing or walking it to your nearest Board of Elections Office:  Executive Office, 32-42 Broadway, 7 Fl, New York, NY 10004;  Manhattan, 200 Varick Street, 10 Fl, New York, NY 10014.  You can also drop it off at anyearly voting location.

• • When your ballot arrives, review it to make sure it’s yours.
  • Read the instructions and fill out the ballot clearly and carefully using dark blue or black ink. DO NOT MAKE ANY EXTRA MARKS ON YOUR BALLOT – any additional marks deemed intentional, like a note or a signature, can be used to invalidate the ballot.
  • If you are applying due to concerns about the risk of contracting COVID-19, mark “temporary illness” on your application.
  • Your ballot will arrive with two envelopes for returning it to the Board of Elections.
  • Seal your ballot into the smaller envelope (the Security envelope).
  • You must then sign and date the back of the envelope. The two most common mistakes voters make that lead to their ballots being invalidated are forgetting to seal their ballots or neglecting to sign and date in the designated place on the envelope.
  • On the Security envelope, you will see a bolded box with the words “OFFICIAL ABSENTEE BALLOT FOR.” This section is for office use only and should not be filled out; however, filling out will not invalidate your ballot.
  • Place the sealed, signed, and dated envelope in the larger envelope addressed to the Board of Elections.
  • If ballots are being submitted by mail, they must be postmarked by November 3, 2020. You need to provide a stamp. Only one is needed; additional stamps will not impact the speed of delivery.
  • Ballots can be submitted in person to the Board of Elections no later than 9:00 pm on November 3rd, 2020; at ANY early voting sites; or at your assigned polling site on election day.
  • If you would like to submit your ballot in-person at a polling site but are concerned about the risk of COVID-19, you can give your sealed ballot to a friend or neighbor to submit for you.
  • You can track your absentee ballot  HERE. This link can tell you whether your request has been accepted and your ballot request processed AND whether your completed ballot has been received.  You can also call 1-866-VOTE-NYC or email AbsenteeHelp@boe.nyc
  • Absentee Ballot Delivery Assistance: 
    • Homebound seniors (or whoever) can request a volunteer to pick up their ballot here.
    • And if you’d like to volunteer for Invisible Hands to do ballot runs, complete the volunteer form here. 

Early voting is a great option to avoid mail-in ballot delays and potentially long lines on Election Day (11/3). Absentee voting is best if you’re not comfortable going to the polls.

Other sites offering updated voter information include:

VOTE NYC – Is the site for the NYC Board of Elections, not fancy but it has all the forms you need.

NYC Votes – Produced by the NYC Campaign Finanace Board (CFB), this site updates regularly. You can sign up to receive updates

IWillVote – This site,paid for by the Democratic National Committee, covers all States, just specify the State for which you need information. If you are phonebanking or texting for a candidate in another state, this site is particularly helpful.  

VOTEARLYNY.org – New York’s non-profit hub for early voting rights, information, education, and news.