How To Register To Vote Before The Primary Election Deadline

The deadline to register to vote in the September 12 New York State and Local Primary Election is next Friday, August 18.

If you are interested in registering, first make sure you are eligible by checking out the list of requirements below.

QUALIFICATIONS TO REGISTER TO VOTE

• be a United States citizen
• be 18-years-old by December 31 of the year in which you file your voter registration form (note: you must be 18 years old by the date of the general, primary, or other election in which you want to vote)
• live at your present address at least 30 days before an election
• not be in prison or on parole for a felony conviction
• not be adjudged mentally incompetent by a court
• not be registered to vote elsewhere

Not sure if you’re already registered? You can find out at the New York State Board of Election’s Voter Lookup.

ONLINE REGISTRATION
The quickest way to register is to go online with Electronic Voter Registration. Log onto the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles website, MyDMV, with your ID number from your NYS driver’s license, permit, or non-driver ID card.

If you don’t already have a MyDMV account, you can create one and then click on “Register to Vote.” Confirm your name, gender, address, and birthday, and pick a political party.

Note: for primary elections, only Democrats and Republicans can vote for their respective party candidates, so if you’re a registered Independent, you won’t be eligible to vote in the primary race.

MAIL REGISTRATION
You can also mail in your voter registration form to the Kings County Board of Elections, 345 Adams Street, 4th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201.

Application must be postmarked no later than August 18 and received by the Board of Elections no later than August 23 to be eligible to vote in the Primary.

IN PERSON REGISTRATION
Another option is to drop off your voter registration form at a DMV location or complete the form in person at the Brooklyn Board of Elections Office (see address above) or at a New York State agency-based voter registration center during normal business hours.

To be eligible to vote in the State and Local Primary, your application must be received no later than August 18.

The deadline to register to vote in the General Election on November 7 is October 13. Mailed applications must be postmarked no later than October 13 and received by the Board of Elections no later than October 18.

You can find more information about voting at the New York State Board of Elections website.