Where can I check if someone is registered to vote?

You can check via the NY State Board of Elections at
https://vote.nyc/page/am-i-registered
You can also call 1-866-868-3692 to check their status.

Where can I look up someone's polling location?

The New York City Board of Elections has a poll site locator website, available here:
https://vote.nyc.page/find-your-poll-site

Can people register to vote online?

Register to vote online or by mail. Visit https://vote.nyc/page/register-vote
To register online, you need a valid ID from the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles.

What are the voter registration deadlines?

All registrations must be submitted 10 days before the election.

Can someone register to vote if they are homeless?

Absolutely! For their address, homeless individuals should enter the location of where they stay at night, which can be a street corner, a park, a shelter, a bus station, or any other location. This address will be used by the Board of Elections to assign you to the appropriate polling location.

The address you give as your mailing address may be that of a local advocacy organization, shelter, outreach center, or anywhere else willing to accept mail on your behalf. Your mailing address does not have to be your residential address.

How does a felony conviction impact my right to vote? What about a misdemeanor?

You may not register or vote, if you have been convicted of a felony and for that felony:

  • You are currently incarcerated; or
  • You are under parole supervision.

You may register and vote if you were convicted of a felony and for that felony:

  • You were sentenced to probation;
  • You were not sentenced to incarceration or your prison sentence was suspended;
  • You have served your maximum prison sentence; in which case you are able to re-register to vote
  • You were on parole and then discharged, in which case you are able to re-register to vote
  • You have received a pardon

If you have been convicted of a misdemeanor, you are eligible to vote even while incarcerated. It does not impact your ability to vote in any way.

How do I apply for an absentee ballot? Who is eligible to apply for an absentee ballot?

You can request an absentee ballot online at http://nycabsentee.com. If you do not have Internet or printing access, you can also call 1-866-VOTE-NYC (868-3692) to request that the form be mailed.
Absentee voting is available in the following circumstances:

  1. You will be out of the city or county where you live on Election Day
  2. You are unable to go to the polls because you are ill, physically disabled or in the hospital;
  3. You are an inmate or patient in a Veterans’ Administration hospital
  4. You are detained in jail awaiting grand jury action or trial
  5. You are incarcerated after a conviction for a non-felony offense. N.Y. Elec. Law § 8-400
Can I get time off work to vote?

New Yorkers are eligible to take up to two hours of paid time off in order to vote if their work schedule otherwise prevents them from voting in person while the polls are open. Voters must tell their employers that they need time off to vote at least two but no more than ten days before the election. N.Y. Elec. Law § 3-110.

Is there somewhere I can order voter registration forms in many different languages?

Yes, the New York City Board of Elections website has information and forms available in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Bengali & Russian at the following link:
http://vote.nyc.ny.us/html/voters/voters.shtml

What do I do if I believe someone’s rights are being violated?

You can call the ACLU National Voter Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE.

What happens if I show up to vote and my name is not on the voter list?

First, ask a poll worker to check the list again and to confirm that you’re at the right polling place for your address. If you’re at the right polling place but your name isn’t on the voter list, ask for a provisional ballot. You have the right to cast a provisional ballot, even if your name isn’t on the voter list, as long as you’re willing to swear or affirm that you believe you registered to vote. For other help, you can look here: http://www.nyclu.org/content/register-vote#vote

Can students register to vote in New York City?

Students can register to vote either at school or home, whatever address they consider their primary legal residence.

How do I register someone to vote?

Help them fill out the form with blue or black ink. If they want you to fill it out, you can, but they must sign. Keep the form - you will turn it in for them. Return form to your team lead to be scanned.