You can now register to vote online through the DMV with a state-issued ID and apply for an absentee ballot online.
When CUNY students speak, New York listens💥
- Saturday, February 14th
Change of Political Party Affiliation deadline - Monday, June 8th
Last day to change your address prior to the Primary Election - Saturday, June 13th
Voter registration deadline for the Primary Election - Saturday, June 13th
Mail Ballot request (online or by mail) deadline - Saturday, June 13th – Sunday, June 21st
Early voting for the Primary Election - Tuesday, June 23rd
Mail Ballot postmark deadline - Tuesday, June 23rd
Primary Election Day
In 2026, candidates for Governor, Lt. Governor, State Comptroller, State Attorney General, U.S. House of Representatives, State Assembly and State Senate will appear on the New York State Election Day ballot.
In order to vote in the New York State primaries this summer, you must have registered with a political party. You can then vote in that political party’s primaries.
CUNY Votes
CUNY Votes is a comprehensive, non-partisan initiative. Its mission is to promote student voter registration, voter participation and voter awareness through campus based activities, external partnerships and University-wide campaigns.
In New York City, you can earn some serious cash by working in a variety of pollworker jobs, including election inspector and interpreter. It’s also a great way to be directly involved in the democratic process.
Every New Yorker has more than a dozen elected officials who represent them, ranging from the president to the chair of your Community Board. Look up who they are here.
Registration Coordinators
Every CUNY college has a designated Voter Registration Coordinator. Seek out yours for help with registering to vote, and questions about events or activities your campus is hosting for voter registration and to get out the vote.
A How-To-Guide for Registering to Vote
Registering to vote is easier than you think, especially using CUNY’s special registration form accessible directly on CUNYfirst. Take a look at our guide or PDF version to figure out your best option.
“The City University of New York is proud of the role it plays in helping our diverse students find their voice and claim their seat at democracy’s table.”
Félix V. Matos Rodríguez
Resources
In order to be eligible to register to vote, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen (including anyone born in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam) or be a naturalized U.S. citizen (a foreign-born individual who is granted citizenship by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services)
- Be a New York resident for at least 30 days prior to an election
- Be 18 years old by December 31 of the year in which you file a form (note: you must be 18 years old by the date of the general, primary or other election in which you want to vote)
- Not be in prison or on parole for a felony conviction (unless parolee pardoned or restored rights of citizenship)
- Not be adjudged mentally incompetent by a court
- Not claim the right to vote elsewhere
- You have changed your address since the last time you voted or registered to vote
- You wish to change your party affiliation
- You have changed your name since last voting
The last day to register to vote by mail or in person to be eligible to vote in the November 5, 2024 general election is October 26, 2024. The American Heritage Dictionary defines “voting” as the formal expression of a preference for a candidate for office or for a proposed resolution of an issue. Voting is the foundation upon which our democracy rests. The vote is our voice, and it should be used loudly and regularly. Use your voice. Vote!
Registering to vote is easy to do. The University makes voter registration forms available to all CUNY students on CUNYfirst when they register for classes and through voter registration events.
The NYS voter registration form is also available through your CUNYfirst account. It’s a personalized form that you can mail in yourself. You don’t even need a stamp. It’s as simple as that.
Ask about voter registration and the collection of application forms at your college.
Registration Forms
- NYS Voter Registration Form-CUNYfirst (log on)
- NYS Voter Registration Form
- NYS Absentee Ballot Application
Government/External Resources
- THE NEW YORK CITY BOARD OF ELECTIONS
(212) VOTE-NYC; - NEW YORK CITY CAMPAIGN FINANCE BOARD
(212) 409-1800; - THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS
(212) 725-3541;
Enrolling in a political party is optional. However, if you wish to vote in a political party’s primary elections, you must enroll in that political party. A change of enrollment received by the BOE not later than Feb. 14 or after July 5 is effective immediately. Any change of enrollment made between Feb. 15-July 5th, shall be effective on July 5.
New York State Political Parties
You will receive an official postcard from the Board of Elections in the mail indicating your election district, polling place and schedule for voting. You will also be sent a Voter’s Identification Card. If either card is not received within two weeks of registering, call the Board of Elections hotline at (212) VOTE-NYC.
If you cannot get to your poll site on Election Day, you may qualify to vote by absentee ballot. You can vote by absentee ballot if you are temporarily or permanently ill/disabled, if you are out of town on Election Day for business, vacation, school or similar circumstances, or due to COVID-19. For the general election, the last day for Board of Elections to receive an absentee ballot application by mail, email, fax or online is October 26, 2024, and in person November 4, 2024. Absentee ballots must be postmarked or delivered by November 5, 2024, at a Board of Elections office. To obtain an absentee-ballot application, check the first box in Section 15 of the voter registration form, access the form at cuny.edu/vote or call the Board of Elections at (212) VOTE-NYC.