Happy 18th Birthday!

Unlock your Newest Superpower: Register to Vote!

How do I become a voter?
You can register to vote in New York online or by mail. To register online, visit the New York State voter registration page and complete the form. If you prefer, you can print a voter registration form, fill it out, and mail it in. To register, you’ll need a New York State driver license, permit, or non-driver ID card, the ZIP code currently on file with the DMV, and your Social Security number.

Can I register to vote before I turn 18?
You may be eligible to register to vote when you are 16 or 17. However, you cannot cast your vote in an election until you are 18. To register before you are 18, you can follow the same steps outlined above. 

What if I move?
Whenever you move, you should update your voter registration by filling out a new voter registration form. This is important because you may have moved into a new district for offices like the County Legislature, Assembly, NY Senate, etc. You can get a voter registration form at many local places, including the DMV or a library. You can also print off a voter registration form or register online. If you want to verify the details of how you're registered (such as address and party), you can check online.

How do I vote if I go away for college?
You have a couple of choices. You can keep your residency wherever you are now and vote by absentee ballot (you have to request one in advance). If you prefer, you can change your residency to where you go to school and vote there. It's really a matter of which community you think of as your home and where you want to be involved. You may be interested to know that because of the way the electoral college works, your vote may have a greater probability of affecting an outcome (such as who will be elected president or which party will control the House or the Senate) depending on what state you live in.

Should I pick a party?
Only voters who register in a party can vote in a primary election. In some places the main election may be the primary, especially if one party dominates a jurisdiction. You will maximize your voting power if you pick a party.

 

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