Voter Registration Process in New York State: A Comprehensive Guide

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Learn how to run a successful voter registration drive in New York State with this detailed guide. Explore who qualifies to register, how New Yorkers can register online, in-person, or by mail, what is needed for registration, and the mandatory questions on the registration form. Get insights into organizing voter registration drives and important deadlines to ensure your participation in the electoral process.

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Running A Successful Voter Registration Drive In New York State New York State Board of Elections

2 Agenda: Voter Registration Basis Who qualifies to register to vote? How can New Yorkers register to vote? What is needed to register? What questions does the registration form ask? Voter Registration Drives Who can register voters? How to organize a registration drive? What are the deadlines? Commonly Asked Questions

3 Voter Registration Basics

4 Who qualifies to register to vote? To qualify for voter registration in New York State, the person must: be a United States Citizen; be 18 years old (they may pre-register at 16 or 17 but cannot vote until they are 18); be a resident of this state and the county, city or village for at least 30 days before the election; not be in prison for a felony conviction; not be adjudged mentally incompetent by a court; not claim the right to vote elsewhere When registering to vote, the voter will sign an attestation swearing that they meet the statutory qualifications to register.

5 How can New Yorkers register to vote? Online using the online voter registration portal https://elections.ny.gov/register-vote In-person using a paper voter registration application at the Board of Elections office or any state agency designated as a National Voter Registration Act site. Sites include DMV, SUNY, CUNY, Department of Health, Office of Temporary Disability, and more. By mail using a paper voter registration application. The form must be returned to the voter s County Board of Elections.

6 What is needed to register? Voters must provide some form of ID when registering, this can be the last four digits of their social security number or their DMV driver s license or ID number. ID can also be provided the first time a voter goes to vote. This ID can be a photo ID, bank statement, lease agreement, or other government document with the voter s name and address. The voter must provide an original signature. If registering to vote online, the voter can sign electronically using their finger or computer mouse, or upload a photo of their handwritten signature.

7 What questions does the registration form ask? Mandatory Questions: Whether person is US Citizen Whether person is 18 or older Name Date of birth Address Mailing address (if applicable) Voting history (if applicable) Identification Political party ( no party is an option) Oath affirming voter answered truthfully Optional Questions: Gender Phone Email Whether voter needs an absentee ballot Whether voter would like to be an election worker

8 Voter Registration Drives

9 Who can register voters? In New York State any individual can assist in registering voters! While anyone can register voters, there are a few best practices to consider: Be nonpartisan - register anyone regardless of their political beliefs. Don t try to coerce a person to select a certain party. You can still provide information about New York s closed primaries, but don t try to influence their decision to select a party. Be sure to explain the qualifications to register If a voter is not truthful in their registration, they can risk legal consequences. If in doubt about whether a voter qualifies you can always contact the Board of Elections for help.

10 How to organize a registration drive? Determine your audience Before planning your drive determine what community you are seeking to register. Potential communities could be people in a certain legislative district, students at a local university, or a community that has low voter turnout. Find your location Registration drives can be held virtually anywhere (and even held virtually!) Find the best location to meet the needs of the people you are trying to target. Sites can be in grocery stores, at local community fairs or farmers markets, at a local concert or event, in colleges or high schools, and even in coffee shops. Always be sure to check with the location before starting to plan your drive you must get permission before setting up a voter registration booth, even in a public location like a park.

11 How to organize a registration drive? Find your partners The best way to engage with a targeted community is to partner with a group that is trusted by the community, or if you are the trusted source, seek out a group that is well versed in registering voters. Trusted sources might be a community outreach groups like YMCA/YWCA, Meals on Wheels, food banks, youth groups, and student clubs. Groups well versed in voter registration include the NAACP, League of Women Voters, New York Civil Liberties Union, Rock the Vote, and Head Count. Assemble your basic supplies Have on hand ample pens, clip boards, and of course voter registration forms. You can either print the forms yourself, or request forms from your County Board of Elections. Other basic supplies might include posters or flyers advertising the dates of the election, a flyer with a QR code to online voter registration, and of course basic stationary supplies like tape and scissors in case you need to hang a sign on your table or nearby wall.

12 How to organize a registration drive? Assemble your volunteers When holding a voter registration drive it s best to have multiple volunteers on hand to assist. At least two volunteers should be at the table to ensure one person can step away if necessary. Depending on the event, volunteers may need to be at the table for a long period of time. Consider asking people to do shifts to avoid anyone being overwhelmed. Hold a volunteer training After you have found your group of volunteers, hold a training so they can get familiar with the procedures of registering someone to vote. While it may seem simple questions may arise related to who is eligible, when are the deadlines, and what to do with the completed forms may come up.

13 How to organize a registration drive? Consider additional supplies While some venues may have everything you need, other locations might require you to bring your own table, chairs, and even shelter from the elements. It is also advisable to have water and even snacks at the table for your volunteers. Be sure to check with your contact at the venue to find out what might be needed. Check the weather If your table will be outside be sure to check the weather forecast and inform your volunteers accordingly. If the table is outside, having plastic ponchos or umbrellas on hand is advisable.

14 How to organize a registration drive? Additional authorizations may be required - Depending on the venue, there may be extra steps required to hold a registration drive. Some locations may require the group to hold a minimum insurance policy, fairs and farmers markets may require a standing commitment to table for a certain duration of time, and other events may require that in addition to a tabling fee, the group also pay admission for each volunteer. When selecting your location ask as many questions as possible to ensure there are no surprises when you hold your event. Advertise! Once you re sure everything is in place make sure you advertise your registration drive.

15 What are the deadlines? The deadline to register to vote is 10 days ahead of any election. A registration submitted either via mail, in person or online must be received by the voter s County Board of Elections 10 days before any election. This is also the first day of early voting in New York! Voters can also make changes to their registration such as changing their address or name up to 10 days before the election. The party enrollment change deadline is February 14th of any election year. An application to change one's party enrollment for the primary election in any year must be received by the board of elections no later than February 14th of that year. Any party change received after this deadline will be held until after the June Primary.

16 What are the deadlines? 2024 Deadlines: April 2, 2024 Presidential Primary Early Voting March 23, 2024 March 30, 2024 Application must be received by a board of elections no later than March 23, 2024 to be eligible to vote in the Presidential Primary. June 25, 2024 Federal, State, and Local Early Voting June 15, 2024 June 23, 2024 Application must be received by a board of elections no later than June 15, 2024 to be eligible to vote in the Primary. November 5, 2024 General Election Early Voting October 26, 2024 November 3, 2024 Applications must be received by a board of elections no later than October 26, 2024 to be eligible to vote in the General Election.

17 Commonly Asked Questions Where do you send completed forms? Completed forms should be returned to the voter s County Board of Elections. The forms can be mailed or delivered in person. The mailing addresses for all County Boards are on the backside of the voter registration form. What happens after the form is received? The County Board of Elections will review the form and contact the voter if there is missing information. Once the form is approved, it will be processed, and the voter will be registered. This can take around 5 business days. The voter may receive a voter card in the mail from the Board of Elections. Is there a limit to forms that can be submitted? No, there is no limit. Be sure that the forms are being sent to the right County Board of Elections. If the form is sent to the wrong location close to the registration deadline it can prevent a voter from being registered in time. How can a person check if they are registered? Voters can use the Voter Lookup to check their registration. The lookup is available at https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov/