Democratic Party primaries in New York, 2018

Elections in New York, 2018

• General election: Nov. 6
• Voter registration deadline: Oct. 12
• Early voting: N/A
• Absentee voting deadline: Nov. 6

• Online registration: Yes
• Same-day registration: No
• Voter ID: No
• Poll times: 6:00 a.m. and close at 9:00 p.m.

---

On the ballot: U.S. Senate • U.S. House • Congressional special elections • Governor • Attorney General • State executive offices • State Senate • State Assembly • Special state legislative • Local judges • Local ballot measures • School boards • Municipal • Democratic primaries • Republican primaries

Click here for primary election results.

Democratic Party primaries, 2018

Primary Date

June 26, 2018 (Federal) September 13, 2018 (State)

Federal elections

Democratic primary for U.S. Senate

Democratic primaries for U.S. House

State elections

Democratic primaries for New York legislature

Democratic primary for governor

Democratic primary for lieutenant governor

Democratic primary for attorney general

State party

Democratic Party of New York

State political party revenue

Primary elections—in which registered voters select a candidate whom they believe should run on the party's ticket in the general election—do more than select nominees. They often articulate a party's identity. In September 2017, U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) said of the future of the Democratic Party, "We're going to have a fight. There's no question about it."

Divisions remained within the Democratic Party as it sought to increase its power at the state and federal levels under the Trump administration. Members of the party disagreed on issues including health care, free trade, education funding, a federal job guarantee, and a proposal to abolish U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

A key focus of the 2018 primary season was the party’s attempt to take back the GOP-controlled Congress. Democrats gained momentum by winning a U.S. Senate seat in Alabama for the first time in 30 years, and they were further bolstered by flipping longtime Republican seats in the Wisconsin state Senate and Pennsylvania's 18th Congressional District. A record number of Republican congressional retirements have also led to large Democratic fields for typically non-competitive seats.

Democratic Socialists of America member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's (D) victory over incumbent Joseph Crowley (D) in New York's 14th Congressional District was portrayed by media outlets as among primary results which indicated a leftward shift in the party. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's (DCCC) chosen candidates, some of which were criticized as not sufficiently progressive, won 31 of 33 primaries in 2018.

This page concerns the 2018 Democratic primary elections in New York. In addition, the page provides context for understanding the state party apparatus.

Battleground primaries

Battleground elections are those that Ballotpedia expected would either be more competitive than other races or attract significant national attention.

• New York's 1st Congressional District election (June 26, 2018 Democratic primary)
• New York's 14th Congressional District election (June 26, 2018 Democratic primary)
• New York's 19th Congressional District election (June 26, 2018 Democratic primary)
• New York's 21st Congressional District election (June 26, 2018 Democratic primary)
• New York's 24th Congressional District election (June 26, 2018 Democratic primary)
• New York gubernatorial election, 2018 (September 13 Democratic primary)
• New York lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2018 (September 13 Democratic primary)
• New York Attorney General election, 2018 (September 13 Democratic primary)
• New York state legislative Democratic primaries, 2018

Federal elections

U.S. Senate

See also: United States Senate election in New York (2018 Democratic primary)

Given incumbent Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand did not face a Democratic primary challenger in 2012 and won the general election that year by a margin of 43 points, she was not expected to face a competitive primary challenger in 2018. Gillibrand reported $8.7 million in cash on hand at the end of the third quarter of 2017. Although Gillibrand ruled out running for the presidency in 2020, her name continued to be mentioned as a contender for the office. To see a full list of candidates in the Democratic primary, click "Show more" below.

Show more

 Democratic primary candidates

• Kirsten Gillibrand (Incumbent) ✔

U.S. House

See also: United States House elections in New York (2018 Democratic primaries)

The 2018 U.S. House of Representatives elections in New York took place on November 6, 2018. Voters elected 27 candidates to serve in the U.S. House, one from each of the state's 27 congressional districts. In 2017, the DCCC identified New York's 1st, 2nd, 11th, 19th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, and 27th Congressional Districts as targeted races.

New York Democratic Congressional Primaries 2018
Incumbents are marked with an (i) after their name. = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
Office	Candidates
New York's 1st Congressional District	Kate Browning  Elaine DiMasi  Perry Gershon  David Pechefsky  Vivian Viloria-Fisher  Did not make the ballot: Brendon Henry
New York's 2nd Congressional District	DuWayne Gregory  Liuba Grechen Shirley  Did not make the ballot: John Rennhack  Kevin Thomas
New York's 3rd Congressional District	Tom Suozzi (i)
New York's 4th Congressional District	Kathleen Rice (i)
New York's 5th Congressional District	Gregory W. Meeks (i) Carl Achille  Mizan Choudhury
New York's 6th Congressional District	Grace Meng (i)
New York's 7th Congressional District	Nydia Velazquez (i)
New York's 8th Congressional District	Hakeem Jeffries (i)
New York's 9th Congressional District	Yvette D. Clarke (i)  Adem Bunkeddeko
New York's 10th Congressional District	Jerrold Nadler (i) Did not make the ballot: Holly Lynch
New York's 11th Congressional District	Michael DeVito Jr.  Zach Emig  Radhakrishna Mohan  Max Rose  Paul Sperling  Omar Vaid  Did not make the ballot: Michael DeCillis
New York's 12th Congressional District	Carolyn B. Maloney (i) Suraj Patel  Did not make the ballot: Sander Hicks
New York's 13th Congressional District	Adriano Espaillat (i) Did not make the ballot: James Felton Keith  Jefferson Thomas
New York's 14th Congressional District	Joseph Crowley (i) Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
New York's 15th Congressional District	José Serrano (i)
New York's 16th Congressional District	Eliot Engel (i) Joyce Briscoe  Derickson Lawrence  Jonathan Lewis  Did not make the ballot: Darren Cole
New York's 17th Congressional District	Nita Lowey (i)
New York's 18th Congressional District	Sean Maloney (i)
New York's 19th Congressional District	Jeff Beals  David Clegg  Erin Collier  Antonio Delgado  Brian Flynn   Gareth Rhodes  Pat Ryan
New York's 20th Congressional District	Paul Tonko (i)
New York's 21st Congressional District	Tedra Cobb  Emily Martz  Patrick Nelson  Dylan Ratigan  Katie Wilson  Did not make the ballot: Tanya Boone  Don Boyajian  Sara Idleman  Ronald Kim  David Mastrianni
New York's 22nd Congressional District	Anthony Brindisi
New York's 23rd Congressional District	Linda Andrei  Ian Golden  Tracy Mitrano  Max Della Pia  Eddie Sundquist  Did not make the ballot: Rick Gallant  Charles Whalen
New York's 24th Congressional District	Dana Balter  Juanita Perez Williams  Did not make the ballot: Scott Comegys  Philip LaTessa  Anne Messenger
New York's 25th Congressional District	Rachel Barnhart  Adam McFadden  Joseph Morelle  Robin Wilt  Did not make the ballot: Louise Slaughter (i) Andrew Gilchrist
New York's 26th Congressional District	Brian Higgins (i)
New York's 27th Congressional District	Nate McMurray  Did not make the ballot: Sean Bunny  Tom Casey  Douglas Michalek  Joan Seamans   Nick Stankevich

State elections

New York Party Control: 1992-2021
Five years of Democratic trifectas  •  No Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year	92	93	94	95	96	97	98	99	00	01	02	03	04	05	06	07	08	09	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21
Governor	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D
Senate	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	D	D
Assembly	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D

Gubernatorial election

See also: New York gubernatorial election, 2018 (Democratic primary)

 Democratic primary candidates

• Andrew Cuomo (Incumbent) ✔
• Cynthia Nixon

Did not make the ballot:

• Greg Waltman

Lieutenant gubernatorial election

See also: New York lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2018 (Democratic primary)

 Democratic primary candidates

• Kathy Hochul (Incumbent) ✔
• Jumaane Williams

Attorney general election

See also: New York Attorney General election, 2018 (Democratic primary)

 Democratic primary candidates

• Leecia Eve
• Letitia James ✔
• Sean Maloney
• Zephyr Teachout

State legislative elections

New York State Legislature: Democratic primaries Battleground races
Senate seats
Senate District 11
Senate District 13
Senate District 17
Senate District 18
Senate District 20
Senate District 23
Senate District 31
Senate District 34
Senate District 38
Senate District 53

Ballotpedia identified ten battleground races in the 2018 New York State Senate Democratic primary elections.

New York Senate Democratic incumbents who faced progressive challengers
Faction	Pre-primary members	Primary defeats
Former IDC members	8	6
Non-IDC incumbents	2	1
Total	10	7

Senate primary battlegrounds

Senate District 11

Did the incumbent file to run for re-election?

Yes

What made this a battleground race?

Queens-based District 11 Incumbent Tony Avella joined the IDC in 2014. Although the Working Families Party initially endorsed John Duane (who later withdrew) in the race, former New York City Comptroller John Liu announced he would challenge Avella in July 2018. Liu previously challenged Avella in 2014 and lost by less than 1,000 votes. Avella endorsements Queens County Democratic Party Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins Bertha Lewis Liu endorsements The New York Daily News New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer New York City Councilman Paul Vallone Communications Workers of America

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for New York State Senate District 11

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		John Liu	52.3	12,578
		Tony Avella	47.7	11,489

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 24,067 (100.00% precincts reporting)
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Senate District 13

Did the incumbent file to run for re-election?

Yes

What made this a battleground race?

Queens-based District 13 incumbent Jose Peralta joined the IDC in 2017. He faced a challenge in the Democratic primary from Jessica Ramos, a former staffer for New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio Activist Andrea Marra announced a challenge against Peralta as well. In January 2018, U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley (D), the head of the Queens County Democratic Party, said he agreed to give Peralta the support of his political organization if he rejoined the mainline Democrats by April 24. After Peralta rejoined, the Queens County Democrats endorsed him. The candidates debated on June 21. See full coverage here. The candidates were both interviewed on the Max & Murphy show on WBAI on August 29. Read more here. Peralta endorsements The New York Daily News Bertha Lewis Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins Queens County Democratic Party United Firefighters Association IBEW Local 3 UNITEHERE! Local 100 Democratic Association of the 21st Century, Frederick Douglass Club, and the Pan-American Club Ramos endorsements U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) The New York Times Cynthia Nixon, 2018 gubernatorial candidate U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas New York City Councilmen Costa Constantinides and Jimmy Van Brame United Auto Workers Union Region 9A Communications Workers of America Tenants PAC Make the Road Action Our Revolution The People for Bernie Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club Himalayan Democratic Club The New York Amsterdam News People For the American Way

<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/QA-Ct8V5xkE?" width="250" height="141" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe> "Re-Elect Senator Jose Peralta for State Senate," released June 18, 2018

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for New York State Senate District 13

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jessica Ramos	54.8	12,550
		Jose Peralta	45.2	10,362

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 22,912 (100.00% precincts reporting)
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Senate District 17

Did the incumbent file to run for re-election?

Yes

What made this a battleground race?

Brooklyn-based District 17 incumbent Simcha Felder began caucusing with Republicans after he was first elected in 2012, but he did not join the IDC. Felder ran as a Democrat in a heavily Orthodox Jewish area of Brooklyn that voted for Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton by 8 points in 2016. Policy areas where he aligned with Republican included opposition to New York City's tax on grocery bags and support for an education tax credit that provided subsidies for his constituents who attended yeshivas. The 2018 New York Democratic Convention passed resolution that symbolically ousted Felder from the party. Blake Morris announced he would challenge Felder in March 2018. Morris said that Felder was key to Republican control of the state Senate and added, "Take out Felder, and you take out the eight IDC members.” Morris gave this interview to City & State New York on April 5. Morris endorsements The New York Times

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for New York State Senate District 17

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Simcha Felder	65.5	15,589
		Blake Morris	34.5	8,200

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 23,789
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Senate District 18

Did the incumbent file to run for re-election?

Yes

What made this a battleground race?

Brooklyn-based state Sen. Martin Malave Dilan, who was not a member of the IDC, faced a challenge from Julia Salazar, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America. Salazar said she was challenging Dilan because he was part of “the political machine in North Brooklyn” and for not being supportive enough of rent control for New York City rentals. In response to her criticisms about his position on housing policy, Dilan said, "“This is a decades’-old misinformation campaign to feed a long-standing political grudge. To claim that one man is at fault for the affordable-housing crisis is absurd.” Salazar endorsements Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Cynthia Nixon U.S. Rep. Nydia Velazquez New York City Councilman Antonio Reynoso The Jewish Vote New York State Immigration Action Fund

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for New York State Senate District 18

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Julia Salazar	58.9	21,419
		Martin Malave Dilan	41.1	14,974

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 36,393
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Senate District 20

Did the incumbent file to run for re-election?

Yes

What made this a battleground race?

Brooklyn-based District 20 incumbent Jesse Hamilton joined the IDC in 2016. Attorney Zellnor Myrie challenged him in his primary. The candidates met in a debate on August 30. Watch it here and here. Hamilton endorsements Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins Vanguard Independent Democratic Association Bertha Lewis Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams Myrie endorsements U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) The New York Times New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson Assembly members Jo Anne Simon, Diana Richardson, Walter Mosley, and Robert Carroll New York City Council members Brad Lander, Carlos Menchaca, and Antonio Reynoso Communications Workers of America Independent Neighborhood Democrats The New York Amsterdam News People For the American Way

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for New York State Senate District 20

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Zellnor Myrie	54.0	23,784
		Jesse Hamilton	46.0	20,266

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 44,050
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Senate District 23

Did the incumbent file to run for re-election?

Yes

What made this a battleground race?

Brooklyn- and Staten Island-based District 23 incumbent Diane Savino joined the IDC in 2011. In May 2018, Jasmine Robinson announced she would challenge Savino. Savino endorsements Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins Robinson endorsements People For the American Way

<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/TS4miqtwprE?" width="250" height="141" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe> "Jasi Robinson: The Real Choice," released September 8, 2018

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for New York State Senate District 23

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Diane Savino	67.5	13,270
		Jasmine Robinson	20.4	4,015
		Brandon Stradford	12.0	2,363

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 19,648
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Senate District 31

Did the incumbent file to run for re-election?

Yes

What made this a battleground race?

West-side Manhattan-based District 31 incumbent Marisol Alcantara joined the IDC in 2016. Former New York City Councilman Robert Jackson announced his bid to unseat Alcantara in November 2017. Jackson ran unsuccessfully for District 31 in 2014 and 2016. He was defeated in the primary election in both years. Alcantara endorsements U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat Bertha Lewis Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins 1199 SEIU DC 37 New York State Nurses Association New York State Immigration Action Fund Jackson endorsements U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) The New York Daily News New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler Former Mayor David Dinkins Former U.S. Rep. Charlie Rangel Daily Kos

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for New York State Senate District 31

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Robert Jackson	56.2	29,140
		Marisol Alcantara	38.3	19,885
		Tirso Santiago Pina	4.0	2,076
		Thomas Leon	1.5	778

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 51,879
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Senate District 34

Did the incumbent file to run for re-election?

Yes

What made this a battleground race?

Bronx-District 34 incumbent Jeffrey Klein created the IDC in 2011 and remained its leader into the 2018 legislative session. After Klein was accused of sexual misconduct in January 2018, Alessandra Biaggi, a former attorney in Gov. Andrew Cuomo's administration, filed to run against him in the primary. According to the New York Daily News, Biaggi previously met with state Sen. Michael Gianaris (D), a mainline Democrat in charge of the group's campaign organization, about challenging Klein. Klein spent about $3 million, while Biaggi spent $200,000. The candidates met in a debate on August 29. Watch it here and here. Biaggi endorsements U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) The New York Times The New York Daily News Cynthia Nixon, 2018 gubernatorial candidate New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer Former U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel Former Assemblyman and councilman G. Oliver Koppell 32BJ SEIU Communications Workers of America Daily Kos The Jewish Vote People For the American Way Klein endorsements Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins Bronx borough president Rubén Díaz 1199 SEIU Teamsters Local 831

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for New York State Senate District 34

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Alessandra Biaggi	54.3	19,318
		Jeffrey Klein	45.7	16,290

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 35,608
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Senate District 38

Did the incumbent file to run for re-election?

Yes

What made this a battleground race?

Based just north of New York City, District 38 incumbent David Carlucci joined the IDC in 2011. On May 31, Julie Goldberg announced she would challenge Carlucci in his primary. Carlucci endorsements Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins Goldberg endorsements Indivisible Westchester

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for New York State Senate District 38

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		David Carlucci	53.9	13,066
		Julie Goldberg	46.1	11,174

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 24,240
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Senate District 53

Did the incumbent file to run for re-election?

Yes

What made this a battleground race?

Syracuse-based District 53 incumbent David Valesky joined the IDC in 2011. Rachel May, a Syracuse University administrator, challenged him. The candidates debated on WRVO Sept. 1. Read more here. Valesky endorsements Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins Syracuse-Onondaga NAACP President Linda Brown-Robinson Greater New York Hospital Association May endorsements Attorney General candidate Zephyr Teachout Lieutenant gubernatorial candidate Jumaane Williams Indivisible NY-24 Our Revolution Citizen Action of New York VoteProChoice Equality New York PAC New York Progressive Action Network Uplift Syracuse Voices of Women CNY

<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/satGVsFz0fk?" width="250" height="141" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe> "I Support Dave Valesky: "Because I'm a Good Democrat"," released August 23, 2018

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for New York State Senate District 53

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Rachel May	51.8	8,553
		David Valesky	48.2	7,943

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 16,496
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

State party overview

See also: Democratic Party of New York

The national Democratic Party traces its roots to New York, as one of the founders of the party was former New York Governor George Clinton. Many of the state's most notable governors have been Democrats, including Clinton, Martin Van Buren, Grover Cleveland, and Franklin D. Roosevelt.

As of June 2017, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo was a Democrat and the party held majorities in both chambers of the state legislature.

State political party revenue

See also: State political party revenue and State political party revenue per capita

State political parties typically deposit revenue in separate state and federal accounts in order to comply with state and federal campaign finance laws. The following table displays the Democratic Party of New York's revenue over a six-year period from 2011 to 2016. Revenue totals are broken down by account type and year. The data was compiled through publicly available state and federal campaign finance reports.

Democratic Party of New York revenue, 2011 to 2016
Year	Federal account	State account(s)	Total
2011	$1,400,326.15	$4,593,074.45	$5,993,400.60
2012	$5,088,001.77	$2,088,835.90	$7,176,837.67
2013	$727,807.64	$10,069,973.05	$10,797,780.69
2014	$7,090,132.19	$22,988,293.20	$30,078,425.39
2015	$450,716.39	$4,656,707.86	$5,107,424.25
2016	$4,521,029.01	$1,620,235.80	$6,141,264.81

New York compared to other states

The Democratic Party and the Republican Party maintain state affiliates in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and select U.S. territories. The following maps display total state political party revenue per capita for the Democratic and Republican state party affiliates from 2011 to 2016. The blue map displays Democratic state parties and the red map displays Republican state parties. Click on a state below to view the state party's revenue per capita totals:

Total Democratic and Republican state political party revenue per capita in the United States, 2011-2016

Primary election scheduling

New York was one of five states to hold a primary election on June 26, 2018.

Voter information

How the primary works

A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. New York utilizes a closed primary process, in which the selection of a party's candidates in an election is limited to registered party members.

Poll times

For primary elections, polls open at 6:00 a.m. and close at 9:00 p.m. in New York City and the counties of Dutchess, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Putnam, and Erie. Polls open at 12:00 p.m. and close at 9:00 p.m. in all other counties. Polls open at 6:00 a.m. and close at 9:00 p.m. for general elections. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.

Registration requirements

To vote in New York, one must be a United States citizen, a resident of the county, city, or village for at least 30 days prior to the election, and at least 18 years old by the date of the election. Individuals who are in prison or on parole for a felony conviction and those who have been declared mentally incompetent by a court are ineligible to register to vote. One cannot register to vote in New York while claiming the right to vote elsewhere. Registration applications are available at the county board of elections or any agency-based voter registration center. Forms are also available online, or prospective voters can request the form by mail. Completed forms returned by mail must be postmarked at least 25 days prior to the election. The form must then be received by election officials at least 20 days before the election. A registration done in person must be completed at least 25 days prior to the election. Residents may also register to vote online through the DMV Electronic Voter Registration Application. These applications are forwarded to the board of elections; applicants should allow up to six weeks for processing.

Automatic registration

On December 22, 2020, Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) signed S8806/A8280C into law, establishing automatic voter registration. When individuals interact with state agencies, voter registration will be integrated into other applications or registrations the agency provides. The Department of Motor Vehicle process will be implemented in 2023, the Departments of Health, Labor, and Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance in 2024, and the State University of New York in 2025.

Online registration

See also: Online voter registration

New York has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.

Same-day registration

New York does not allow same-day voter registration.

Residency requirements

In order to register to vote in New York, applicants must reside in the county, city, or village in which they are registering for at least 30 days prior to the election.

Verification of citizenship

See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

New York does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration.

Verifying your registration

The New York State Board of Elections allows residents to check their voter registration status online by visiting this website.

Voter ID requirements

New York does not require voters to present identification while voting. However, if a voter does not provide valid identification at the time of registration, he or she must show identification at the polling place when voting for the first time.

Voters can present the following forms of identification:

• A current, valid photo ID, including but not limited to a drivers' license or a DMV-issued non-driver photo ID
• A current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document with the voter's name and address

Background

As of April 2021, 35 states enforced (or were scheduled to begin enforcing) voter identification requirements. A total of 21 states required voters to present photo identification at the polls; the remainder accepted other forms of identification. Valid forms of identification differ by state. Commonly accepted forms of ID include driver's licenses, state-issued identification cards, and military identification cards.

Early voting

Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) signed a bill into law on January 24, 2019, establishing a 10-day early voting period. The bill was scheduled to take full effect on January 1, 2020.

As of April 2021, 38 states and the District of Columbia permitted early voting. Early voting permits citizens to cast ballots in person at a polling place prior to an election. In states that permit early voting, a voter does not have to provide an excuse for being unable to vote on election day. States that do not permit early voting still permit some or all citizens to vote early by mail—often known as absentee voting. Some states allow no-excuse absentee voting, while others require an excuse. States that allow in-person absentee voting without an excuse are counted among early voting states. Click here for early voting laws by state.

Absentee voting

A voter in New York is eligible to vote absentee in an election for any of the following reasons:

1. Absence from the county (or, if a resident of New York City, the city) on Election Day
2. Illness or disability, or acting as the primary caregiver for an ill or disabled person
3. Patient care at a Veteran's Administration hospital
4. Incarceration for offenses other than felonies or awaiting grand jury action

Absentee ballot applications must be mailed to the county board of elections no later than the seventh day before the election. Alternatively, applications delivered in person must be received no later than the day before the election. A voter may also request an absentee ballot by sending a letter to the county board of elections. The letter must be received by the county board no earlier than 30 days and no later than seven days before the election. An application form will be mailed with the absentee ballot. The application form must be completed and returned with the ballot.

If sent by mail, a returned ballot must be postmarked by the day of the election and received no later than the seventh day after the election. If submitted in person, the ballot must be received by close of polls on Election Day.

See also

Federal primaries in New York	State primaries in New York	New York state party apparatus	New York voter information
Democratic primaries for U.S. House Democratic primary for U.S. Senate	State government trifectas Democratic primary for governor Democratic primary for lieutenant governor Democratic primary for attorney general Democratic primaries for New York legislature	Democratic Party of New York Republican Party of New York State political party revenue	Voting in New York Ballot access requirements for political candidates in New York Redistricting in New York