Rock the Vote

If you live within the five boroughs, you can register to vote here.

If you live elsewhere in New York, you can register to vote online through the State Board of Elections website here.

If you are a CUNY Student, follow these steps to register to vote:

Step 1: Log into CUNYfirst

Step 2: Click NYS Voter Registration Form

Step 3: Fill out form

Note: Most of the required information is automatically filled out for you.

Step 4: Confirm that you read,and then swear to the affidavit

Step 5: Click agree to register to vote

If you are looking for your polling site visit here.

Understanding Early Voting

Did you know that in most states you can vote and cast your ballot early? New York State allows all registered voters to start voting up to 10 days before Election Day!

Early voting was first adopted in New York State for the 2019 November General Election. The law states that “a person duly registered and eligible to vote shall be permitted to vote” during that early timeframe.

Voting early is convenient, flexible and often fast as polling locations tend to be less crowded during this time period rather than on Election Day. It also allows for voting on the weekends. This makes voting more accessible because people now have more time to vote, and there is less pressure on our poll workers!

An early voting site may be different from an Election Day polling location, so a voter should check before heading out to the polls.

Early Voting by Mail

The New York Early Mail Voter Act, which was enacted in 2023 and took effect in January 2024, now allows voters to vote early by mail, and you are not required to provide a reason or an excuse to vote by mail! Any registered voter may request an early ballot for themselves by mail. It will be counted so long as it is received by the Board of Elections before the close of the polls on Election Day.

However, if you have an early mail or absentee ballot for the 2024 election, you cannot use a voting machine at your general election day poll site, if you change your mind.

If you do not mail your absentee or early mail ballot, you will only be permitted to vote in person with an affidavit ballot at your poll site, and not by a voting machine. This ballot will still be counted.

How to Apply for an Early Mail Ballot

• Online at https://requestballot.vote.nyc
• To request an accessible ballot if you have a reading, writing or print disability, go here: https://requestballot.vote.nyc/accessibility
• You may also go to your local Board of Elections office and pick up an early mail ballot.
  • If you are not able to pick up your ballot, you have the right to designate someone to retrieve the early ballot so long as that person is designated on your application.

A request for an early mail ballot or absentee ballot by mail or online must adhere to the 10-day deadline.  A voter can apply in-person up to the day before an election. You can drop off your completed absentee or early mail ballot at any early voting site while polls are open.

To find out more about early voting visit: https://www.vote.org/early-voting-calendar/

Get Out Early & Make Your Voice Heard! 

Additional Information & Finding Your Early Voting Poll Site:

Early Voting | New York State Board of Elections (ny.gov)

If you plan to vote absentee, fill out the application here.

Key things to remember if you plan to vote absentee:

• If you have applied for an absentee ballot either by mail, online or in-person, you may not cast a ballot on a voting machine for that election.
• However, if you have applied for an absentee ballot, and you changed your mind and want to vote in-person, whether during early voting or on election day,  you may complete an affidavit ballot at the poll site.  Affidavit ballots will be kept separate by the poll workers until the election is completed.
• To ensure that one ballot, one vote is cast by each voter, election officials will confirm if a voter’s absentee ballot has been received. If the absentee ballot has been received, the affidavit ballot will not be counted. If the absentee ballot has not been received, the affidavit ballot will be counted.

Who will you be voting for in the Spring and Fall of 2026?

In 2026, voters will see a wide range of federal, statewide, and citywide races on their ballots. These include contests for the U.S. House of Representatives, United States Senate, New York State Governor and Lieutenant Governor, New York State Attorney General, New York State Comptroller, New York State Senate and New York State Assembly positions. Some ballots may also include judicial and District Attorney races. Read below to learn more about each of these offices.

U.S. House of Representatives:

• Members of the United States House of Representatives introduce bills and resolutions, propose amendments, enact a budget in association with the U.S. Senate, and serve on policy and appropriations committees. They also have local offices to assist their constituents with federal issues. The House is one of the two chambers of Congress and is representative of the population of the United States.
  • Learn More: U.S. Representative's Role

United States Senate:

• United States Senators have the power to propose legislation, draft or amend bills, delay or block legislation by taking the time to speak (filibuster), enact and supervise the federal budget, approve or reject presidential appointees, approve treaties with foreign nations and more. Senators usually have multiple offices across the state to assist their constituents with federal issues. The Senate is one of the two chambers of Congress, and each state is represented by two senators.
  • Learn More: U.S. Senator's Role

New York State Governor: 

• The New York State Governor serves as the state’s chief executive officer, responsible for proposing and implementing state laws, managing state agencies, proposing the state budget, and setting policy priorities, and more. The Governor also signs or vetoes legislation, appoints agency heads and judges, and represents New York in affairs with other states and the federal government.
  • Learn More: New York State Governor's Role 

New York State Lieutenant Governor:

• The New York State Lieutenant Governor serves as the President of the State Senate and acts as Governor when the Governor is out of the state or unable to perform their duties. In the event of a governor’s death or resignation, the lieutenant governor assumes the office of governor. Additionally, the Governor may assign the Lieutenant Governor other responsibilities, such as overseeing a task force or special project.
  • Learn More: New York State Lieutenant Governor's Role 

New York State Attorney General:

• The Attorney General is the head of the Department of Law and serves as the People’s Lawyer and the state’s chief legal officer. The Attorney General acts independently of the Governor, and is responsible for defending the legal rights of the people of New York, its organizations, government agencies and its natural resources. The Attorney General also represents and defends the state in legal proceedings and provides legal advice to state agencies and officials when required.
  • Learn More: New York State Attorney General's Role

New York State Comptroller:

• The Comptroller is the state’s fiscal officer and is responsible for protecting taxpayer funds by uncovering waste, fraud and abuse; managing the state’s pension fund, administering the state’s retirement system; reviewing state contracts, and more.
  • Learn More: New York State Comptroller's Role 

New York State Senate:

• State Senators work with the State Assemblymembers and governor to approve and enact bills and resolutions to create a body of State laws, set levels for state spending, raise and lower taxes, vote to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes and approve certain gubernatorial appointees.
  • Learn More: NYS Senator's Role

New York State Assembly:

• Assemblymembers introduce and pass bills, set levels for state spending and work with State Senators, raise and lower taxes, and uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes like the New York State Senate. The State Senate and Assembly work in tandem with each other.
  • Learn More: NYS Assemblymember's Role

Additional Positions You May See on Your Ballot: 

Local Judges:

• Local judges preside over court cases, interpret, and apply the law, oversee trials and hearings, and ensure that legal proceedings are fair and impartial.

District Attorneys:

• District Attorneys represent the government, such as a borough, in criminal cases, decide which charges to bring, prosecute crimes, and work to uphold public safety within their jurisdiction.

To find your sample ballot visit: Sample Ballot Lookup

What Should You Do If You Are Turned Away at the Polls?

• You may have visited the wrong polling location. It is important to check your correct early voting and Election Day polling place here: https://vote.nyc/page/find-your-poll-site.
  • Your current registration address will determine your polling site. Always make sure you update your voter registration to match your current mailing address or residence.
• You may have been marked as an inactive voter in error by the Board of Elections or you may not have voted in two consecutive federal elections over the course of five years.
• If you are certain you are eligible to vote, you have the right to request an affidavit ballot from a poll worker which will allow you to attest that you are eligible to vote and participate in the current election. The Board of Elections will then review your ballot and determine if you are indeed eligible. If you are eligible to vote, your affidavit ballot will be counted. If not, you will be contacted by the Board of Elections.

What Happens if You Are Blocked from Casting your Vote on Election Day by Poll Workers?

• Calmly try to solve conflicts at polling sites and explain your rights. However, if your situation cannot be resolved, you can:
  • Call the New York Election Hotline: (866) 390-2992 OR the U.S. Department of Justice Voting Rights Hotline: 1-800-253-3931
  • Contact various civil rights groups that can explain the voting process and your rights
    • English: 866-OUR-VOTE – Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
    • Spanish/English: 888-VE-Y-VOTA – NALEO Educational Fund
    • Arabic/English: 844-YALLA-US – Arab American Institute (AAI)
    • Asian Languages/English: 888-API-VOTE – APIAVote & Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC)

What Election Poll Rights Do You Have?

• You have the right to:
  • Bring voting materials with you into the polls
  • Ask for and bring an interpreter of your own if you need language assistance
  • Not show any identification when you are not a first-time voter
  • Vote even if the poll closes when you are on line before the closing time
  • Ask a poll worker for assistance on how to mark your ballot and to receive a “voting rights” flyer
  • Vote manually if the voting machine is broken
  • Ask for assistance with casting your ballot if you have a disability
  • Vote by affidavit/provisional ballot if your name or signature is missing from the list of registered voters, or your address has changed but your local board of elections did not update their database

Call the NYC Board of Elections at 1-866-Vote-NYC (1-866-868-3692) if you are in NYC

Outside of NYC call 1-212-VOTE-NYC (1-212-868-3692)

If you are looking to contact the specific borough offices at the Board of elections, visit here.

The Board of Elections (BOE) can provide help with:

• Voter registration
• Updating voting records
• Providing poll site information
• Absentee voting
• Voter education, notification, and dissemination of election info
• And any other questions you may have

Learn about John Jay College External Affairs Student Ambassadors Experience at the Spectrum News NY1 Debate held in the Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay: https://www.jjay.cuny.edu/news-events/news/student-ambassadors-share-thoughts-2025-nyc-mayoral-democratic-debate

John Jay is a participating campus of the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge.

This challenge empowers colleges and universities to achieve excellence in nonpartisan student democratic engagement.

The challenge hopes to:

• Make participation in local, state, and federal elections a social norm
• Substantially increase the number of college students who are democratically engaged on an ongoing basis, during and between elections, and not just at the polls
• Make educating for democratic engagement on college campuses an accepted and expected part of the culture and curriculum so that students graduate with the knowledge, skills, behaviors, and values needed to be infirmed and active citizens.

As part of the challenge, John Jay will commit to:

• Increasing student voting rates
• Convening a campus-wide working group
• Participating in the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE) which measures voting rates
• Developing and implementing a data-driven action plan
• Sharing the campus’ action plan and NSLVE results with the challenge