A special election is underway in New York City today, April 28, 2026. Residents of the 3rd City Council District are casting ballots — if you live in that district and are registered, your polling site information is available at vote.nyc/elections. For all other New York City residents, the next critical date is June 13, 2026 — the last day to register in time for the NYC Primary Election on June 23. If you are not yet registered, recently moved, or unsure of your current status, this guide covers everything you need to know about registering to vote in New York City.
Who Is Eligible to Register to Vote in New York City
To register to vote in New York City, you must meet all of the following requirements as established by the NYC Board of Elections. You must:
- Be a citizen of the United States. This includes persons born in Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- Be a New York City resident for at least 30 days before the election.
- Be 18 years old on or before Election Day.
- Not be in prison for a felony conviction.
- Not have been adjudged mentally incompetent by a court.
- Not claim the right to vote elsewhere — that is, outside the City of New York.
If you meet all of these requirements, you are eligible to register. There is no income test, no literacy test, and no requirement to own property.
Pre-Registration for 16- and 17-Year-Olds
New York State allows residents who are at least 16 years old and otherwise eligible to pre-register to vote. Once you reach the age of 18, your pre-registration converts to a full registration automatically — you do not need to submit a new form. If you are between 16 and 17, you can use any of the registration methods described below to pre-register now.
How to Register to Vote in New York City
There are four ways to register. Online methods are fastest for most people.
Option 1: Online Through the NYC Board of Elections
The NYC Board of Elections operates an online voter registration system at e-register.vote.nyc. You can complete and submit your entire registration form online. This is the recommended method for most residents: it is fast, provides a confirmation number, and allows you to verify that your application was received. The online system is available in multiple languages.
Option 2: Online Through the New York State DMV
If you have a valid ID issued by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles — either a driver’s license or a non-driver ID card — you can register to vote through the NYS DMV’s Motor Voter portal at voterreg.dmv.ny.gov/motorvoter. This method links your DMV record directly to your voter registration, which can simplify the identity verification step.
Option 3: By Mail
Paper voter registration forms are available at NYC Board of Elections offices and at many public libraries, post offices, and government buildings across the city. You can also download a form from vote.nyc. Complete the form and mail it to your borough’s BOE office. Important: for mail applications, your form must be received by the registration deadline — not simply postmarked by that date. Plan accordingly and mail early.
Option 4: In Person at a BOE Office
You can register in person at any NYC Board of Elections office. There is an office in each of the five boroughs. Office addresses, phone numbers, and hours are listed at vote.nyc/page/contact-us. In-person registration is also available at the BOE executive office at 32-42 Broadway, 7th Floor, Manhattan (telephone: 1-212-487-5400).
2026 Registration Deadlines
Knowing the deadlines is critical. Here are the two remaining major elections in 2026 and the corresponding registration cutoffs, as published by the NYC Board of Elections:
| Election | Election Date | Last Day to Register (In-Person or Mail) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Election | June 23, 2026 | June 13, 2026 |
| General Election | November 3, 2026 | October 24, 2026 |
The in-person and mail deadlines are the same for each election. If you are submitting a paper form, it must arrive at the BOE office by the deadline — not just be in the mail. Submit well before the cutoff to allow for any postal delays.
The June 23, 2026 Primary Election uses ranked-choice voting for most citywide and local races. If you want to vote in the Democratic or Republican primary, you must also be enrolled in that party. Party enrollment deadlines differ from general registration deadlines — see the party affiliation rules at vote.nyc/page/party-affiliation.
How to Update Your Address After Moving
Your registered address determines which contests you are eligible to vote in. Your City Council district, State Assembly district, State Senate district, and Congressional district are all determined by your residential address. If you move, your old registration will not reflect your new electoral districts, and you may not be able to vote in local races that are most directly relevant to where you now live.
New York State law requires voters to notify the Board of Elections within 15 days of an address change in order to preserve their voting rights. The process is straightforward: simply re-register using your new address through any of the four methods listed above — online at e-register.vote.nyc is the fastest option.
The NYC Board of Elections also receives periodic address-change data from the United States Postal Service. When the USPS file matches a registered voter, the BOE sends a confirmation notice to verify whether the voter has moved. If you receive such a notice, respond promptly. Voters who do not vote in any election — including two consecutive federal elections — and do not confirm their address during that period may be classified as inactive and eventually removed from the rolls.
If you move within New York City, you re-register at your new address. If you move outside New York City, you must register in your new jurisdiction — you can no longer vote in NYC elections.
What Identification Is Required
For Most Registered Voters
If you are already registered to vote and provided identification when you registered, you are not required to show ID at the polls. You will receive your ballot at your assigned poll site simply by confirming your name and address in the poll book.
For First-Time Voters
First-time voters must provide identification either on their voter registration application or along with it. There are two tiers of acceptable identification:
Tier 1 — Numbers You Can Enter Directly on the Registration Form:
- Your New York State driver’s license number
- Your New York State non-driver ID number
- The last four digits of your Social Security number
Tier 2 — Documents to Submit With Your Application (if you are not providing a license number or Social Security digits):
- A current and valid photo ID
- A current utility bill
- A bank statement
- A government check or paycheck
- A government document that shows your name and current address
If You Did Not Provide ID Before Election Day
Even if you arrive at the polls without having provided identification with your registration, you are still allowed to vote. You will be permitted to cast an affidavit ballot. Affidavit ballots cannot be scanned using the standard poll site scanner — they are set aside and reviewed separately during the official canvass after Election Day. Your vote still counts, but it undergoes additional review to confirm your eligibility.
How to Confirm You Are Already Registered
Before going through the registration process, it is worth checking whether you are already registered. The NYC Board of Elections offers an online registration lookup at amiregistered.vote.nyc. You can also call the BOE directly at 1-866-Vote-NYC (1-866-868-3692), or, if calling from outside New York City, at 1-212-VOTE-NYC (1-212-868-3692). TDD/TTY users can call the New York State Relay at 711.
If you registered and did not receive a confirmation card within four to six weeks, contact the BOE to verify that your application was processed.
After You Are Registered
Once you are registered, your registration remains active as long as you vote regularly and keep your address current with the BOE. You do not need to re-register before each election. Your registration card will show your assigned poll site and your election district, as well as your congressional, state senate, state assembly, and city council districts.
For information on finding your polling site, early voting locations, and how to request a mail ballot for any upcoming election, see our complete guide: NYC Polling Sites, Early Voting, and Mail Ballots 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I register to vote online in New York City?
Yes. The NYC Board of Elections operates an online voter registration portal at e-register.vote.nyc. You can complete and submit your full registration form online. If you have a valid New York State driver’s license or non-driver ID, you can also register through the NYS DMV portal at voterreg.dmv.ny.gov/motorvoter.
What is the deadline to register for the 2026 NYC Primary Election?
The deadline to register for the June 23, 2026 NYC Primary Election is June 13, 2026. This applies to both in-person registration at a BOE office and mail-in applications. Mail applications must be received by the BOE by June 13 — not simply postmarked on that date.
Do I need to show ID when I vote in New York City?
Most registered voters do not need to show any ID at their poll site. First-time voters who did not provide identification with their registration may need to present a document or cast an affidavit ballot. See the NYC Board of Elections’ voter ID page at vote.nyc/page/voter-id for the complete list of acceptable documents.
I moved to a new address in New York City. What do I need to do?
Re-register as soon as possible using your new address. New York State law requires voters to notify the Board of Elections within 15 days of an address change to preserve their voting rights. The fastest method is online at e-register.vote.nyc.
Can I pre-register to vote if I am 16 or 17 years old?
Yes. New York State allows residents who are at least 16 years old and otherwise eligible to pre-register. Your registration activates automatically when you turn 18. You do not need to submit a new form at that time.
What if I miss the registration deadline?
If you miss the registration deadline for a particular election, you will not be able to vote in that election as a registered voter. New York does not currently offer same-day voter registration for primary or general elections. Plan ahead: the deadline for the June 23, 2026 Primary is June 13, and the deadline for the November 3, 2026 General Election is October 24.
What are the eligibility requirements to vote in NYC?
To register, you must be a United States citizen, a New York City resident for at least 30 days, and 18 years old by Election Day. You must not be in prison for a felony conviction and must not have been adjudicated mentally incompetent by a court. Full requirements are at vote.nyc/page/voter-qualifications.
Sources: NYC Board of Elections — Voter Qualifications, Voter ID, Register to Vote, Registration Deadlines, Upcoming Elections 2026. All information verified April 28, 2026.
