Voting is an important part of every citizen's right and civic duty and serves as an opportunity to make your voice heard. Apicha CHC supports and encourages its community members to engage in voting, especially when it comes to local elections.
This year, New York City will elect a new mayor and new city council, and assembly officials. With upcoming mayoral primaries and general elections, here's everything you need to know to vote.
Where is my polling site?
Your voting site depends on what district your address is in. To find out your polling site, check here. Please note that your early voting and day-of voting may be in two different locations, so be sure to check.
Key primary election dates
Below are the primary election dates and deadlines to know.
- Early voting dates: June 12 - 20
- Absentee ballot request deadline: June 15
- Mail-in your absentee ballot by: June 22
- Primary election day: June 22
Registration deadlines: Can I still register to vote?
If you aren't registered to vote, you can register until the following dates, depending on whether you register in-person or by mail. Click here to register to vote.
- Mail registration: Application must be postmarked no later than May 28, 2021, and received by a board of elections no later than June 2, 2021, to be eligible to vote in the Primary.
- In-person: You may register at your local board of elections or any state agency participating in the National Voter Registration Act, on any business day throughout the year but, to be eligible to vote in the State and Local Primary, your application must be received no later than May 28, 2021.
- Change of address: Notices of change of address from registered voters received by June 2, 2021, by a county board of elections must be processed and entered in the records in time for the Primary.
- Change of party enrollment: An application to change one’s party enrollment for any primary election in 2021 must be received by the board of elections no later than February 16, 2021. The deadline was extended by Executive Order. Forms RECEIVED at your local board of elections up to and including February 16th will be accepted and processed. If you submit your party change online through DMV the deadline is midnight February 15th for electronic delivery on the 16th.
When is the general election?
- The general election is on November 2, 2021.
- Registering by mail: Applications must be postmarked no later than October 8, 2021, and received by a board of elections no later than October 13, 2021, to be eligible to vote in the General Election.
- In-person registration: You may register at your local board of elections or any state agency participating in the National Voter Registration Act, on any business day throughout the year but, to be eligible to vote in the General Election, your application must be received no later than October 8, 2021. If honorably discharged from the US Military or have become a naturalized US Citizen after October 8, 2021, you may register in person at the Board of Elections up until October 23, 2021.
- Change of address: Notices of change of address from registered voters received by October 13, 2021, by a county board of elections must be processed and entered in the records in time for the General Election.
General election absentee voting deadlines:
- October 26, 2021: Last day to apply online, by email, fax, or to postmark an application or letter of application by mail for an absentee ballot
- November 1, 2021: Last day to apply IN-PERSON for absentee ballot
- November 2, 2021: Last day to postmark ballot. Must be received by the local board of elections no later than Nov. 9th. Military Voter Ballots must be received no later than Nov. 16th
- November 2, 2021: Last day to deliver ballot IN-PERSON to the local board of elections or to any poll site.
How do I know if I can vote?
To vote in New York, one must be a United States citizen who will be 18 years old by the date of the next election. Also, a voter must have lived at his or her present address for at least 30 days prior to the election. A voter can request a registration application in person at the county board of election or any New York state agency-based voter registration center. Forms are also available by mail, by telephone, or online.
Do I need my ID to vote at the polls?
No. In the state of New York a voter does not need to present their ID in order to vote. For more information on New York voting, visit: https://www.elections.ny.gov/votingdeadlines.html
