Register to Vote

Register

Exercise your right as an American citizen — register to vote. You can also use this online service to join a political party, change your party designation, or update your name and address on file with the Board of Elections.

To register to vote you must:

• Be a United States citizen;
• Be 18 years old by December 31 of the year in which you file this form (you may pre-register at 16 or 17 but cannot vote until you are 18);
• Be a resident of this state and the county, city or village for at least 30 days before the election;
• Not be in prison for a felony conviction;
• Not be adjudged mentally incompetent by a court;
• Not claim the right to vote elsewhere.

To register online, you will need:

• NYS driver license, permit, or non-driver ID card
• ZIP Code currently on record with the DMV
• Social security number

If you do not put a DMV number or the last 4 digits of your social security number on the form, please fill out this form and attach a copy of an alternative form of ID before mailing in or dropping off to your County Board of Elections.

Completed applications are sent to local County or City Board of Elections for approval and processing. The DMV does not approve or deny voter registration applications. Contact your County Board of Elections if you haven't gotten a response within six weeks.

Refer to this step-by-step process to register to vote online:

• Visit the voter registration page on the DMV’s website;
• Enter and submit the required information;
  • Reminder: You will need your ID number and document number found on your DMV issued photo ID
• Keep the confirmation email for your records.

REGISTER ONLINE Download Forms

N.Y. Election Law (5-508) allows victims of domestic violence to apply for a confidential registration by delivering a sworn statement to their local county Board of Elections stating they are a victim of domestic violence and they wish to have their voter registration record kept confidential because of the threat of physical or emotional harm to themselves or a family or household member.

Their voter registration record will be kept separate and apart from other registration records for four years and not be made available for inspection or copying by the public or any other person, except election officials acting within the course and scope of their official duties.

Under a separate section of the law (11-306), they can also be excused from going to their polling place to vote and get a special ballot. For further information, please contact your local board of elections for their confidential registration and special ballot procedures.