Voting in NYC

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If you change address, you've also got to tell the Board of Elections. If you don't let them know and vote in the wrong district, you forgo the opportunity to vote for the candidates who will actually represent you at your new address, and the vote you cast could be disqualified. New York State law requires you to do notify them of your change in address within 25 days of the General Election to keep your right to vote.

To change your address, fill out your new address on a voter registration form (PDF) or pay a visit to the Board of Elections and do so in person. The Board of Elections routinely checks its voter rolls with a list of people from United States Postal Service who have submitted a change of address. For voters that match, the Board of Elections sends a confirmation notice to indeed verify if the voter has moved. Still, it's always best to notify them of your new address directly.

Primary Links

Voting is easy! Here's your 3-Step Guide:

1. Make sure you qualify

You must answer "yes" to the following questions:

Are you a citizen of the United States (Includes those persons born in Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands)?
Have you lived in New York City for at least 30 days?
Will you be 18 before the next election?

And "no" to these ones:

Are you in jail or on parole for a felony conviction?
Would a court rule that you're mentally incompetent?
Are you trying to vote outside of New York?

2. Register

Make a trip to the Board of Elections
Register by mail

Get a registration form...

Online (PDF)
Call 1-866-VOTE-NYC and they'll send you a postage-paid form
At your library, post office or other government agencies

Send it to...

Board of Elections in the City of New York

2009 Deadlines:

To be eligible to vote in the Primary, you must register in person or get your registration form in your mail carriers hands on or before August 21st.

To vote in the General Election, you must register in person or have your registration form postmarked before October 9th. Certain military personnel may register until October 23rd.

And don't forget, if you want to vote in the primaries for a specific party's candidate, make sure you select an appropriate party designation when registering. If you are already registered to vote, but previously did not select a particular political party and you would now like to, simply submit a new voter registration form. Upon receipt, The Board of Elections will change your party affiliation and send you new voter details with your party on it.

One important thing to remember is that you can't CHANGE your party enrollment and vote in the NEW PARTY of your choice in the same year. A change of party enrollment will go into affect one week following the General Election. The last day to change your party enrollment is the same as the last day to register for the General Election (25 days prior to the date of the General Election).

3. Go Vote!

PRIMARY ELECTION: SEPTEMBER 15, 2009
GENERAL ELECTION: NOVEMBER 3, 2009
To find your polling place and make sure you're registered, go here or call the Board of Elections: 1-866-VOTE-NYC