Voting
Luciano DeRoberts rests his head on his mother's, Julie Reap, arm as she votes in 2011 at the DeWitt Community Church on Erie Boulevard East, across from ShoppingTown Mall.
(Ellen M. Blalock | eblalock@syracuse.com)
The deadlines are approaching for New Yorkers who want to vote in the Nov. 8 general election when candidates for president, Congress, the state legislature and local offices will be on the ballot.
Here's what you need to know about voter registration deadlines and eligibility requirements:
What's the last day to register?
If you're not a registered voter, the deadline to submit an application is Oct. 14. You can sign up in person at your county Board of Elections or at certain state agencies such as the Department of Health.
Mailed applications must be postmarked by Oct. 14 and received no later than Oct. 19.
New military voters have until Oct. 28 to register by filling out a Federal Post Card Application and returning it to your local county Board of Elections.
How do I register to vote?
In New York, there are four ways:
• Register online through the state Department of Motor Vehicles. You'll need a Social Security number and driver's license, permit or non-driver ID number to proceed.
• Register by mail: Voter registration forms are available at some libraries, post offices and town and village offices. The form is online at the state Board of Elections website. Print out the form, fill it out and mail it in to your county Board of Elections. Find your county Board of Elections. Or, the state Board of Elections will mail a form to you; request one by calling 1-800-FOR-VOTE.
• Register in person at your county Board of Elections. Find yours.
• Register in person at any number of state agencies, such as the Department of Health, the Department of Labor and Department of Social Services.
Am I eligible to register to vote?
• You must be a U.S. citizen.
• You must be 18 years old by Dec. 31 of the year in which you file the voter registration form, and you must be 18 years old by the date of the general, primary or other election in which you want to vote.
• You must live at your current address for at least 30 days before an election;
• You can't be in prison or on parole for a felony conviction.
• You can't have been ruled mentally incompetent by a court;
• You can't claim the right to vote somewhere else.
What if I'm registered, but I've moved or changed my name?
You should use the voter registration form as a change of address form. According to the state Board of Elections, "notices of change of address from registered voters received at least 20 days before a special, primary or general election by a county board of elections must be processed and entered in the records in time for that election.''
What if I attend college in New York state? Should I vote from home or school?
College students have the option of determining where they want to vote. Students who want to vote in their school community must file a voter registration form with that county. Students who want to vote from their permanent home must request an absentee ballot.
Marie Morelli contributed to this report.
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