Get Ready for New York’s
General Election on November 4

On Tuesday, November 4, New Yorkers across the city will vote in the General Election. If you are registered to vote, you have the opportunity to elect our representatives and vote on six ballot proposals.

What’s your vote plan?
Check your voter registration status. The last day to update your voter registration is Saturday, October 25.

If you are registered to vote, there are three ways to vote in New York City.

1. Early voting is October 25–November 2: Your early voting poll site and hours may differ. Find your early voting site and hours.
2. Vote by mail: The last day to request a ballot by mail is October 25. You must postmark your ballot or drop it off in-person at your poll site by November 4.
3. Vote on Election Day, November 4: Polls are open from 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Find your poll site.
    

What’s on your ballot?
What’s on your ballot will depend on where you live and which political party you belong to. Some of the offices New Yorkers will vote for this November are:

• Mayor
• City Council representatives
• City Comptroller
• Public Advocate
• Borough President
• And more

Check what’s on your ballot.

Make sure to flip your ballot to vote on the six ballot proposals this year. Ballot proposals give voters the right to directly decide on whether a law should be passed.

• Proposal 1 would amend the State Constitution to allow new ski trails and facilities at the Olympic Sports Complex in Essex County’s forest preserve, while requiring New York State to add 2,500 acres of new protected forest land to the Adirondack Park.
• Proposal 2 would create two new fast-track review processes for certain affordable housing developments.
• Proposal 3 would create a faster review process for some modest housing and minor infrastructure projects.
• Proposal 4 would create a three-member Affordable Housing Appeals Board—made up of the Mayor, City Council Speaker, and local Borough President—that could overturn City Council decisions on affordable housing projects with a two-to-one vote.
• Proposal 5 would create one central digital City Map at the Department of City Planning instead of five borough-specific paper maps.
• Proposal 6 would move NYC's election dates for city offices to the same year as Federal Presidential elections, when permitted by state law.

 

Why does this matter?
Voting gives you the opportunity to influence the decisions that shape your daily life. The Mayor, City Council, and other offices on the ballot make decisions about housing, healthcare, education, and more. Your vote can influence how much public money goes towards arts and culture, how much land can be zoned for rehearsal and performance spaces, and how much of a social safety net dance workers get.
 

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Additional Resources

Learn more about the Mayoral candidates by reviewing the Mayoral Candidate Forum on Culture & Arts.

For Individuals

If you encounter any problems while voting, please call the Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE.

• For Spanish, call 888-VE-Y-VOTA.
• For Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Bengali, Urdu, Hindu, and Tagalog, call 888-API-VOTE.
• For Arabic, call 844-YALLA-US.

If you’re an Immigrant New Yorker, you may be able to vote contingent that you:

• Became a U.S. citizen through naturalization
• Became a U.S. citizen through your U.S. citizen parents
• Are a U.S. citizen born in Puerto Rico or other U.S. territories;
• Are at least 18 years old by the end of this year.
• Are a resident of New York for at least 30 days before Election Day.

Review this comprehensive guide on the requirements to vote in New York.

Inclusive democracy ensures that everyone—including unhoused individuals and formerly incarcerated people—has the right to vote. People on parole or probation can register and vote as well.

• Check out Nonprofit Vote’s guide on voting and homelessness
• Review voting rights for people with a felony conviction

All polling sites must be ADA compliant with access to a Ballot Marking Device for Blind, visually impaired, and disabled voters, as well as a tabulator. Every location must also have a certified inspector who can assist with using a Ballot Marking Device.

Explore more frequently asked questions on voting in NYC.

For Organizations

If you are a 501(c)(3), staying nonpartisan during any election is important to the integrity of your organization. According to the IRS, 501(c)(3) organizations are permitted to conduct certain voter education and engagement activities if they are carried out in a non-partisan manner. This includes hosting public forums, publishing voter education guides, and encouraging people to participate in the electoral process through voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives. Check out Nonprofit VOTE’s comprehensive presentation on how to stay nonpartisan.

Enact COVID-19 safety measures for your in-person voter registration event. Review National Voter Registration Day’s complete guide on how to make your in-person and public voter registration drives as safe as possible.