Register to Vote FAQ Sheets

Third-Party Voting Registration Organizations

Third-party organizations are also resources to register to vote. They also provide other voting-related services, such as:

• Register to vote in your state.
• Check your registration status.
• Request absentee ballots to vote by mail in your state.
• Get election reminders.
• Locate your nearest local polling place.
• Fill out census forms.

These organizations typically help you register to vote online through their websites. They process your voting registration application for free.

They also provide information and answer any questions you may have regarding voting registration, where and how to vote, and other helpful information. Check out the contact information for third-party organizations that provide registration assistance and services below:

• Vote.org at Vote.org
• Rock the Vote at RockTheVote.org
• U.S. Vote Foundation at USVoteFoundation.org
• When We All Vote at WhenWeAllVote.org

How to Update Your Voter Registration

Voters will need to update their voter registration if they have changed their name or address, or if they wish to change their political affiliation.

If you need to update your voter registration, you must complete the registration process once again. You can use the same online, by-mail and in-person methods detailed above.

About the Voter Registration Card

In New York, a “voter registration card” and the “voter registration form” refer to the same document.

If you are registered to vote and intend to vote in-person at a polling location, you will need to complete and sign the voter registration card/form in black ink to vote on Election Day. Polling locations have the New York voter registration card/form available to fill out at the location. However, you can also complete the card/form before visiting and bring the completed card/form with you to the polling location.

How to Check the Status of Your Voter Registration

You can check your voter status by inputting your personal information into the New York Voter Registration and Poll Site Search tool here.

You can also contact your local County Board of Elections office to check your voter status. Find your nearest office and contact information here.

You can also check your voter registration status and more at one of the third-party organizations listed in the “Third-Party Voting Registration Organizations” section above.

Type of Elections

The different types of elections in New York include:

• General elections are held to elect candidates into elected offices of president, vice president, congress, and state and county electors. These elections are in November.

• Primary elections are held to decide who will be on the ballot for the general election. In New York, all candidates for elective offices must be nominated by winning the primary election. The dates of these election days occur throughout the year.

• Special elections are held to elect candidates into office. They can be held at any time for any legal purpose.

When Are the Upcoming Election Dates and Registration Deadlines?

You can see upcoming election dates and voter registration deadlines on RocktheVote.org here.

You can stay on top of upcoming elections by signing up for reminders through:

• The Federal Voting Assistance Program here
• Vote.org here.
• RocktheVote.org here.

Where Can I Vote?

New York residents who are registered to vote must do so in their designated polling location. To find your polling location, you can:

Contact your local County Board of Elections office for more information. Find your nearest office and contact information here.

How Do I Cast My Vote?

To cast a vote in person, find your designated polling location here.

To cast a vote by mail, you will need to request an absentee ballot. Find out more about who is eligible for absentee voting in New York here. Access the New York Absentee Ballot Application Form here.

How Do I Vote If I Recently Moved?

If you have moved out of your voting district, you will need to register to vote once again and provide your updated address. You can register to vote in the following ways:

• To register to vote online, click here to use the New York Electronic Voter Registration Application. You can only use this system if you have an New York driver’s license or ID card.
• To register to vote by mail, click here to access the New York State Voter Registration Form. Mail the completed form to your local County Board of Election office. Find your nearest office and contact information here.
• To register to vote in person, visit your local County Board of Election office. Find your nearest office and contact information here.

If you move out of New York, you will need to register to vote in your new state. Learn more about the voter registration process on a national scale here.

Where Can I Find Information About Candidates Who Are Running?

To learn about the primary candidates who will be running for local, state and federal offices

from the third-party organization Ballotpedia.org. You can also find information on candidates who will run in the upcoming New York elections, including the:

• President of the United States here
• U.S. House Representatives here
• Congress Special Election here.
• State Senate here
• State Assembly here
• Special State Legislative here
• Local Judges here
• School Boards here
• Municipal Government here

What Are the Government Office Positions That We Vote for During Elections?

Elections in New York are held to elect people into Federal, State, and Local offices.

Federal offices include the following:

• The President of the United States serves a four-year term, and the general election is held on the first Tuesday of November of election years. This elected official is the head of state and government and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces.
• U.S. Senators serve six-year terms, and the elections for the two seats are in November of staggering years. These elected officials are a part of Congress, approve or reject treaties and confirm presidential appointments. The laws they work with affect the entire country.
• U.S. Representatives serve two-year terms, and general elections are held in November. These elected officials are also a part of Congress, approve or reject trade agreements and the confirmation of the Vice President.

State offices include the following:

• The State Governor serves a four-year term, and has elections on even years that are not presidential election years in November. This person is the state’s highest-ranking official and signs bills into law or can veto legislation.
• State executive offices are typically four-year terms, and include:

• • Lieutenant Governor – Second to the Governor
  • Secretary of State – Responsible for running the state’s elections, business licensing, and publication of official documentation
  • Attorney General – Oversees charges and cases against individuals on behalf of the state government
  • Treasurer – Maintains state funds and acts as the state bank
  • Controller – Pays the state’s bills and is responsible for the state’s accounting and financial reports
  • Superintendence of Public Instruction – Runs the state’s public school system (two-year term)
  • Insurance Director – Enforces regulations regarding businesses
  • Public Utilities Commission – Supervises electric, gas, water and telecommunications utilities for the state (six-year term)
• State Senators serve two-year terms and have general elections on even years in November. These elected officials pass state laws that affect only residents of the state.
• State Representatives serve two-year terms, and have elections on even years in November. These officials handle legislation on a district level. They are often called congressmen and congresswomen.
• State Supreme Court members serve six-year terms, and have elections on even years in November. These officials are judges and make up the highest state judiciary court, which makes their ruling laws.
• State Court of Appeals justices serve six-year terms and have elections in November. However, the chief judge only serves for two years. These nonpartisan (not affiliated with a political party) judges sit on the New York Court of Appeals and handle challenges and appeals to district court decisions.
• District Court judges serve four-year terms, and have elections in November. These nonpartisan judges make rulings on local trials, such as small claims, divorces, criminal proceedings and civil cases.

Local offices include the following:

• • Mayors serve four-year terms, and oversee city government.
  • City council members serve four-year terms and help pass local laws.
  • Commissioners serve four-year terms, and govern a county and administer local taxes, property registration, building code enforcement, and public work services.
  • District court clerks serve four-year terms, and provide assistance to district judges.
  • Treasurers serve four-year terms and maintain county funds.
  • Assessors serve four-year terms, and oversee local tax laws and collections.
  • Coroners serve four-year terms and investigate local deaths to determine the cause.
  • Highway district commissioners serve four-year terms, and supervise the highways and roadways within their jurisdiction.
  • Prosecutors serve four-year terms, and charges and cases against individuals on behalf of the local government.
  • Sheriffs serve four-year terms, and these officials are responsible for enforcing the law in the county.

• School board members serve six-year terms, and elections vary by county. Members of the group are responsible for making decisions related to local schools, such as spending priorities, curriculum approval, and setting the academic calendar.

Need More Help?

If you have further questions about absentee ballots or the voter registration process, contact your local County Board of Elections office. Find your nearest office and contact information here.

You can also contact the New York State Board of Elections by phone at (518) 474-6220 or by email at INFO@elections.ny.gov.

View or Download Our Free Guide

While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the voting registration process and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the resources that you need by providing useful information on the process.

Our free Voter Registration Guide is filled with helpful information about how to register to vote, eligibility and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.