The general election is looming with less than a month until the day when New Yorkers will cast their votes for the next president of the United States.
If you’re already registered to vote, make sure you have everything you need to be heard on Nov. 8. If you aren’t registered, you still have time to be a part of history. The last day to register to vote in New York State is Oct. 14, whether you apply online, via postal service or in-person. Any mail-in ballot applications must be postmarked by Oct. 14 to be eligible. In order to vote in the general election, you must:
If you aren’t sure if you are registered, you can check your status here. TO REGISTER TO VOTE ON NOV. 8
You can register in person at yourcounty board of elections or at any New York State agency-based voter registration center. If you prefer, you can submit an application at the Department of Motor Vehicles, either in person or online if you already have DMV-issued identification. You canenter your name in the mailing list database, have a voter registration mailed to you or download the form in English or Spanish. If you don’t want to use a printer and a stamp, you can register directly online in English orSpanish. You can call 1-800-FOR-VOTE to request a voter application.
WHAT TO BRING
If you are voting in your polling place for the first time, bring identification, like a valid photo ID, a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check or some other government document that shows your name and address. If you provided ID when you registered to vote, you won’t have to provide it, but better to be prepared – if you have ID, toss it in your purse or pocket, just in case.
ABSENTEE BALLOTS
In order to vote by mail (absentee ballot), you must either be “unavoidably absent from your county on Election Day,” prevented from getting to the polls by illness or disability, a patient in a Veterans’ Administration Hospital, detained in jail pending grand jury action or imprisoned after a non-felony conviction. You can download a New York State Absentee Ballot Application Form in English orSpanish, find your county board and mail the application in the election or deliver it in person by the person designated by the voter. Your application for an absentee ballot must be postmarked by Nov. 1; if you apply in person, you must apply before Nov. 7.
In order for your vote to be counted for the general election, your ballot must be postmarked by Nov. 7; if your designated person is handing it in for you, he or she must hand in the ballot by Nov. 8. FIND YOUR POLLING PLACE
You can find out where you vote by checking the Board of Elections website. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Nov. 8. As long as you are in line by 9 p.m. on Nov. 8, you are permitted to vote. TO CHANGE INFORMATION ON YOUR VOTER CARD
You can change your name, address and/or party affiliation by using a voter registration form. A change of address must be submitted 20 days before the election. A change in party enrollment must be received no later than 25 days before the election. CANDIDATES ON THE N.Y.BALLOT
New York State has 29 electoral votes, which is 5.3 percent of the 538 electoral votes for the nation and 10.7 percent of the 270 electoral votes needed for a candidate to win the election.
Last day to register to vote is Friday; Here’s how to make the deadline
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