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How to register to vote in New York

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Registration Summary

New York offers online voter registration. You can register by mail to vote in New York by printing a voter registration form, filling it out, and mailing it to your local election office. You can also register to vote in person if you prefer.

How do election officials keep voting secure?

Election officials in your state and community are working hard to ensure the integrity of our elections. All states have implemented security measures to protect the vote.

Visit the New York State Board of Elections website to learn more about election security. If you’re interested in getting involved with elections in your community, contact your local election office to learn about opportunities in your area.

Registration Top Actions

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Who can register to vote?

To register in New York you must:
  • be a United States citizen
  • be a resident of the state of New York and the county, city, or village in which you register for at least 30 days before the election in which you vote
  • be 18 years old (you may pre-register at 16 or 17 but cannot vote until you are 18)
  • not be in prison for a felony conviction
  • not be adjudged mentally incompetent by a court
  • not claim the right to vote elsewhere

Can I register to vote online?

  • New York offers online voter registration.
  • You should know: you need an NY.Gov ID to use New York’s online voter registration system. If you have previously used NY.Gov with another agency, you may use the same login to access the Online Voter Registration portal. If you have not used NY.Gov, you will need to create an account. You will be asked to provide your New York State-issued ID number. If you don’t have a New York State-issued ID, you can still submit a voter registration application online, but you will have to show ID the first time you vote. You can also submit a voter registration application by mail or in person.

Can I submit voter registration forms by mail?

Use the National Voter Registration Form

  1. Print and fill out the National Voter Registration Form.
  2. Box 6 - ID Number: Your completed voter registration form must contain your New York driver's license number, non-driver number, or the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you do not possess any of these forms of identification, write "NONE" on the form.
  3. Box 7 - Choice of Party: You are required to register with a party to participate in New York partisan primary elections. You should register with the party whose primary you would like to vote in.
  4. Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank. This information is not required.
  5. Review the "Who can register to vote?" section above and check that you're eligible.
  6. Sign the form.
  7. Send the completed form to your local election office
  8. If you are registering to vote for the first time in your jurisdiction and are mailing this registration application, federal law requires you to show proof of identification the first time you vote. Proof of identification includes current and valid photo identification OR current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or government document that shows your name and address. More information here.

Can I register to vote on Election Day?

New York does not offer registration on Election Day.

Can I submit voter registration forms in person?

Can I register to vote before I turn 18?

You can register to vote in New York before you turn 18 if you:
  • are at least 16 years old
  • are a United States citizen
  • are a resident of the state of New York and the county, city, or village in which you register for at least 30 days before the election in which you vote
  • are not currently in prison for a felony conviction
  • have not been adjudged mentally incompetent by a court
  • do not claim the right to vote elsewhere

You must be at least 18 years old to vote.

Can I complete a voter registration application in person before I turn 18?

Yes, you can learn more about registering to vote in person on the New York State Board of Elections website.
You can complete a voter registration application in person at any of the following public agencies in New York:
  • County Board of Elections
  • Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) when you apply for or renew your driver license or ID card
  • City Universities of New York (CUNY)
  • State Universities of New York (SUNY)

You can find a full list of designated voter registration agencies on the New York State Board of Elections website.

Can I submit a voter registration application online before I turn 18?

Yes, you can register online.

If you live any where in New York State, you can register online on the New York State Board of Elections website.
  • You will need an NY.Gov ID. If you have previously used NY.Gov with another agency, you may use the same login to access the Online Voter Registration portal. If you have not used NY.Gov, you will need to create an account.
  • You will be asked to provide your New York State-issued ID number. If you don’t have a New York State-issued ID, you can still submit a voter registration application online, but you will have to show ID the first time you vote. You can also submit a voter registration application by mail or in person.
If you live in New York City, you can register online on the Vote NYC website.
  • You do not need a NY.Gov ID or an online account to register to vote in New York City.

Can I submit a voter registration application by mail before I turn 18?

Yes, you can register to vote by mail using this form.
When submitting your application by mail in New York, you are required to provide your valid New York State driver's license, permit, or ID number. If you do not have an New York State-issued ID, you must provide the last four digits of your Social Security number.

If you have not been issued any of these numbers, check the box that indicates you do not have an ID number and include a copy of ONE of the following:
  • valid photo ID
  • current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows your name and address

How do I vote if I'm in the military or live overseas?

Active-duty military, their families, and overseas citizens can register to vote and request their absentee ballot using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA process is done by mail, but your state may offer other options to request and return ballots. Please contact your local election office for more information about delivery and return methods, including email, fax, and state online portals. To follow the FPCA process:
  1. Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), or download a copy. Your local election office may have questions, so please provide an email address or phone number where they can reach you.
  2. Send the application to your local election office.
  3. It is never too early to submit an FPCA! Please do so as soon as possible.
  4. Please fill out and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it.
  5. States begin mailing absentee ballots at least 45 days before Election Day. If you haven't received your ballot by 30 days before Election Day, contact your local election office.
If your ballot does not arrive after you submit your FPCA, contact your local election office first. Then:
  • You can still vote using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Print, sign, and mail your FWAB to your local election office.
  • If you mail a FWAB and then receive your regular absentee ballot, you should complete and mail your absentee ballot also. Election officials will ensure that only one ballot is counted.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program offers additional information on military and overseas voting in New York. You can also call 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or email vote@fvap.gov

How can I check my voter registration status?

You can look up your voter registration record and verify that your information is correct using New York's voter registration lookup tool.

Which election office should I contact?

  • In New York, your local election office runs the elections in your area. They can help you with questions about registering to vote, voting by mail, and local elections.
  • The State Board of Elections oversees elections and election administration in New York. They can help you with questions about voting in your state, election security, or issues you might have at the polls. If you have concerns about voter intimidation, reach out immediately.

How do I contact my local election office?

Visit your state’s site to find your local election office.