How to Vote NYC!

Voting is both a right and a duty for those who are eligible. It is a core element of civic engagement and an important way for women and gender-expansive persons to participate and advocate for themselves and their communities. Before an election, it is important that you have a plan for how, when, and where to vote as well as what is on the ballot. Be prepared and be heard!

Register to Vote

It’s never too late to register to vote because another election is always coming up. Even if you think you are registered, be sure to:

1. Check your voter registration status
2. If you are not registered, you can do so at vote.org

Create a Voting Plan

Create a personalized NYC voting plan (how, when, and where to vote), and help others create a plan. Here is a handy guide for creating your plan. As part of your plan:

Decide how you want to vote–there are four options:

1.  In-person early (usually about 10 days before Election day)
2.  Mail an absentee ballot (Request one in advance)
3.  Drop off an absentee ballot (Request one in advance)
4. In-person on Election Day

Check Key Dates including deadlines for:

• Updating your address (if you have moved)
• Requesting an absentee ballot
• Registering to vote
• Early Voting
• Election Day
• Returning an absentee ballot

Resources: For all the important information on where and how to vote, go to:

• Rock the Vote: rockthevote.org/how-to-vote/new-york/
• My Vote NY: myvoteny.org/
• For Spanish (and English): vote411.org/

Understand the Ballot

Be sure to know:

• Who or what is on the ballot (if applicable; there may be ballot proposals to vote on): Look at a sample ballot here and learn about the candidates or proposals.
• How the ballot looks and if there will be Ranked Choice Voting.

Explore other sources to learn about the ballot and candidates including NYC Votes and Ballotpedia.

Know Your Rights

As you prepare to vote, it is important to remember that you have rights! For an overview of your voting rights, go to the ACLU’s page here. In addition:

• Find out what to do if you’re turned away at the polls.
• Call the voter suppression hotline @ 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683), inform the New York State Attorney General and share Election Protection’s page to inform your family & friends.
• Do not leave the poll site without casting a ballot: if a poll worker cannot locate your name in the poll book, you are entitled to a provisional ballot.

Encourage Others to Vote

Many people are rightfully skeptical of voting and the political process. It’s not always easy talking to family and friends about the importance of voting.

Here are some tips and talking points! 

• Many states are making it harder for people like us to vote. That’s why it’s even more important to get out and pick candidates who want to protect our rights.
• The most important way you can make sure YOUR concerns are known is to vote. It doesn’t benefit you or our community when you opt out of voting.
• Participation is your right and your responsibility. Millions of people have had and are currently having their vote suppressed. Your vote or participation in the process is a way to reclaim power from a system hoping that you stay away.

Help others learn about the importance of voting by sharing this video by YelloPain:

Further Suggested Reading