Q1: How do I register to vote?
A: You can register in person at your county board of elections or at any New York State Agency-Based voter registration center. You may also submit your voter application form at the Department of Motor Vehicles, either in person or on their website if you already have DMV-issued identification. Alternatively, you can request a New York State Voter Registration form by mail by entering your name directly into the state’s mailing list database. Finally, you can call our 1-800-FOR-VOTE hotline to request a voter application.
Finally, you may register to vote using the New York State Voter Registration Form accessible at the links below. You can complete a PDF version of the New York State Voter Registration Form online by clicking on the link below, typing the necessary information and selecting the appropriate boxes. Alternatively, you can print the form to complete by hand.
You can also complete an accessible version of the New York State Voter Registration Form online by clicking on the link below, typing the necessary information and selecting the appropriate boxes.
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Q2: I’ve moved. Do I need to register again?
A: Yes, you must register at your new address. A voter registration form can also be used as a change of address form. Notices of change of address from registered voters received at least twenty days before a special, primary or general election by a county board of elections must be processed and entered in the records in time for that election.
Q3. I recently moved, and I’m not sure where I’m registered to vote. How do I find out?
A: If you’re not sure whether or not you changed your registered address, you can check the status here.
Q4. Who can register to vote?
A: To be eligible to vote in New York, you must:
- Be a United States citizen;
- Be 18 years old (you may pre-register at 16 or 17 but cannot vote until you are 18);
- A resident of this state and the county, city or village you intend to vote in for at least 30 days before the election;
- Not currently 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.
Q5. My name has changed. How do I update my voter registration?
A: A voter registration form can also be used as a change of name form. Notices of name change from registered voters received at least twenty days before a special, primary or general election by a county board of elections must be processed and entered in the records in time for that election.
Q6. What if I live in New York State only part of the year?
A: You can register to vote in New York only if you are a resident of New York. The law prohibits being legally registered to vote in two places.
Q7. What telephone number should I list on my registration form? What if my telephone number is unlisted?
A: You are not required to list a phone number on the registration form. Should you choose to provide a number, please keep in mind that whichever number you submit may be used by campaigns to contact you. Campaigns do not have to abide by the “Do Not Call” registry. Most voters choose to list their home phone number rather than a cell phone number.
Q8. What are the requirements for the New York identification box on the voter registration form?
A: Federal law requires that registrants give a driver’s license number or the last four digits of their social security number. If you have a New York driver’s license or identification card, list the driver’s license number. If you do not have a license, list the last four digits of your social security number. Voter registration forms do leave a box to check if you have neither a New York State issued driver’s license or a social security number.
Q9. What if I do not want to register with a party?
A: Registering with a party is not required. However, you should be aware that New York State is a closed primary state, only those of a registered party are permitted to vote in that party’s primary elections.
Q10. What if I want to look up or change my political party?
A: You can look up your current party registration here. Should you desire to change your party affiliation, simply fill out a new registration form and check the box of the party you would like to register with.