Governor Cuomo reminds New Yorkers to register to vote in upcoming election

…deadline is October 13

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo on Thursday reminded New York State residents that this Friday, October 13, is the last day to register to be eligible to vote in next month’s general election. Applications must be postmarked no later than October 13 and received by the New York State Board of Elections no later than October 18. New Yorkers can easily apply to register to vote, or change their enrollment information, by using the state’s online voter registration application service on the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles’ website, a release from the Governor’s Office said.

“Voting is essential to democracy, and we urge all New Yorkers to register to vote and make their voices heard,” Governor Cuomo said. “With more ways to register to vote than ever before, I encourage everyone to ensure your information is up to date so you can participate in the election.”
To apply to register to vote using the DMV website, customers must enter information from their New York State driver license, permit, or non-driver ID, their date of birth, current zip code, last four digits of their Social Security Number, and their email address. The information provided is validated to ensure accuracy and security. Previously, New Yorkers needed to sign up to create a MyDMV account to register to vote online. Last year, a new site was created that allows applicants to visit the voter registration application page on the DMV website. If you are already registered to vote but wish to change your party affiliation, you must do so by Friday to vote in primaries in 2018.
Since Governor Cuomo launched the MyDMV automated online system in 2012, 950,717 New Yorkers have registered using DMV’s online voter registration applications, including 438,318 first-time voters. Building on this success, in July, Governor Cuomo announced a series of aggressive executive actions designed to expand voter registration opportunities for New Yorkers, including an executive order which directs every state agency to make available voter registration forms and to offer assistance in filling them out.
Terri Egan, DMV’s Deputy Executive Commissioner said, “We at DMV are glad to have made it simple for people to go online and start the process of registering. We want to make it convenient to maximize participation in our democracy.”
If honorably discharged from the military or if you have become a naturalized citizen since October 13, you may register in person at the board of elections up until October 28. Changes of address for the general election must be processed by October 18 to be eligible for the November election.
DMV does not approve or deny voter registration applications. Upon completion, DMV sends the voter registration applications to the County Board of Elections for review and action. Once processed, the county will notify the applicants either that they are registered to vote or that additional information is needed to complete the application. Additionally, New Yorkers can use the New York State Board of Elections’ website to check their voter registration status.
To be eligible to vote in New York, you need to:
be a United States citizen;
be 18 years old by December 31 of the year in which you file the form (note: you must be 18 years old by the date of the general, primary or other election in which you want to vote);
live at your present address at least 30 days before an election;
not be in prison or on parole for a felony conviction;
not be adjudged mentally incompetent by a court; and
not claim the right to vote elsewhere.
You can read more about the process for registering to vote at the DMV website or at New York State Board of Elections’ website.