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.

Please see the Board of Elections Unofficial Results: https://enr.boenyc.gov/
 

Please see the New York Times Unofficial Results: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/11/04/us/elections/results-new-york.html 

This year you will see five key positions and citywide & statewide ballot proposals on the NYC 2025 General Election Ballot. These positions are mayor, public advocate, city comptroller, city council members and borough presidents. Judicial positions may also appear on some ballots. Read below to learn more about each of these positions and proposals.

Mayor of New York City

• The Mayor of New York City is the head of the City’s executive branch.  The mayor’s office administers all city services, including, police and fire protection, building safety, health and children’s services and public education, among other services. In addition, the New York City Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) oversees the City's budget, including revenues and expenditures as approved by the City Council. The mayor also has the power to appoint numerous officials, including deputy mayors and the commissioners who head city agencies and departments.
  • Learn more: https://www.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/index.page

Public Advocate:

• The Public Advocate is a non-voting member of the New York City Council with the right to introduce and co-sponsor legislation. The Public Advocate also performs oversight of city agencies, investigates citizens' complaints about city services and makes proposals to address perceived shortcomings or problems in the delivery of those services. Lastly, the public advocate is the first person in line to succeed the mayor in the event of a vacancy or incapacity of the mayor.
  • Learn more: https://advocate.nyc.gov/about/the-office

Comptroller:

• The City Comptroller is the chief financial officer and chief auditor of New York City agencies. This office reviews the performance and spending in City agencies. The comptroller also reviews and makes recommendations regarding proposed contracts, issues reports on the city and state economy, handles the settlement of litigation claims against the City, issues municipal bonds to fund projects, manages the City’s pension funds, and manages the municipality debt.
  • Learn more: https://comptroller.nyc.gov/about/duties-of-the-comptroller/

City Council Members:

• New York City Council members make up the City's legislative body, similar to Congress, which is separate from the mayor’s administration. City Council members introduce and vote on legislation, that when signed by the mayor, establish laws, policy, practices and protections for residents, visitors and businesses. The City Council negotiates the City's budget with the mayor and approves the spending plan.  Members of the City Council assist constituents in their districts with community needs and service problems. In addition, council members through committees monitor city agencies to ensure they are effectively serving New Yorkers. The Council has the power to review land use and make decisions about the growth and development of the City.
  • Learn more: https://council.nyc.gov/about/

Borough President:

• Borough Presidents are the chief executives of each of the five New York City boroughs. Borough Presidents advise the mayor, advocate for borough needs during the annual budget process, review and comment on land-use projects, and appoint volunteer community board members, who provide advice on issues that affect their neighborhoods, including zoning and local projects, and help resolve community service issues. Overall, they are advocates for their borough to the mayor, city council, New York State government, mayoral agencies, public corporations, and private businesses.
  • Learn more: https://nyccharter.readthedocs.io/c04/

Citywide Ballot Proposals

The 2025 New York City Charter Revision Commission was convened in December 2024 with the goal of revising the New York City Charter, which outlines the structure, powers and functions of the City’s branches of government.  The Commission was assigned with the responsibility of identifying ways to improve New York City’s government. The Commission hosted several meetings across the City engaging with New York City residents, experts, advocates and more. The final report of the Commission includes five ballot proposals for voters to consider and either approve or reject these changes to the charter. If a majority of voters (more than 50%) vote yes on a proposal, that proposal will be inserted into the City Charter. If a majority of voters vote no on a proposal, it will not be adopted and added to the charter. Read below to learn more about each ballot proposal.

Proposal 1: Fast Track Affordable Housing to Build More Affordable Housing Across the City 

• “Fast track publicly financed affordable housing. Fast track applications delivering affordable housing in the community districts that produce the least affordable housing, significantly reducing review time. Maintain Community Board review.” (NYC Charter Revision Commission)
  • This proposal allows the City Planning Commission to approve or reject new housing which could speed up the development of affordable housing. Though, some argue this proposal expands mayoral power and limits the voice of New York City residents by eliminating the City Council in the process.

Proposal 2: Simplify Review of Modest Housing and Infrastructure Projects 

• “Simplify review of modest amounts of additional housing and minor infrastructure projects, significantly reducing review time. Maintain Community Board review, with final decision by the City Planning Commission.” (NYC Charter Revision Commission)
  • An example of a modest increase in density would be expanding residential capacity by 30% in high-density neighborhoods.

Proposal 3: Establish an Affordable Housing Appeals Board with Council, Borough, and Citywide Representation 

• “Establish an Affordable Housing Appeals Board with the Council Speaker, local Borough President, and Mayor to review Council actions that reject or change applications creating affordable housing.” (NYC Charter Revision Commission)
  • Currently, the City Council and Mayor are responsible for approving affordable housing projects in the City, so this proposal reduces the number of people needed to approve an affordable housing project. 

Proposal 4:  Create a Digital City Map to Modernize City Operations 

• “Consolidate borough map office and address assignment functions, and create one digital City Map at the Department of City Planning. Today, the City Map consists of paper maps across five offices.” (NYC Charter Revision Commission)
  • This proposal would replace the five separate maps and address assignment systems managed by each Borough President’s office with a single unified map covering all five boroughs. 

Proposal 5:  Move Local Elections to Presidential Election Years to Increase Voter Participation 

• “Move the City’s primary and general election dates so that City elections are held in the same year as federal presidential elections, when permitted by state law.” (NYC Charter Revision Commission)
  • Currently, NYC local elections are scheduled for 2025, while the last presidential election took place in 2024. This proposal would align NYC local elections with presidential elections, so both would occur in the same year, such as 2028 or 2032. Though, some argue by holding local elections in the same year as Presidential elections, it would lead to local races being ignored and overshadowed.

For additional information about the NYC Ballot Proposals visit: https://www.nyc.gov/assets/charter/downloads/pdf/2025/Appendix-A-Proposed-Questions.pdf; https://www.nyc.gov/site/charter/news/2025-new-york-city-charter-revision-commission-releases-interim-report.page 

To Read the New York City Charter Revision Commission’s Final Report please visit this link: https://www.nyc.gov/assets/charter/downloads/pdf/2025/7-21-2025-charter-revision-commission-adopted-final-report-digital.pdf 

Statewide Ballot Proposal 

All ballots in the November general election whether in New York City or upstate, will feature one statewide proposal.  This proposal was approved by the State Senate and Assembly to allow for this proposed amendment to the New York State Constitution to be submitted for consideration by voters.

Proposal 1: Amendment to Allow Olympic Sports Complex in Essex County on State Forest Preserve Land

• “The proposal amends the State Constitution. It permits new Nordic ski and biathlon trails in the forest preserve. Development there requires Constitutional permission. That is because the facility is in the Adirondack forest preserve. It is part of an Olympic Sports Complex in North Elba…The project touches up to 323 acres. The facility covers 1,039 acres. This use is offset. 2,500 new acres are added to the forest preserve. The New York Legislature must approve the offset. If not, the project will not happen.” (New York State Board of Elections)
  • A yes vote would allow new ski trails and related facilities to be built in the Adirondack preserve, and a no vote would block the facilities from being built. 

For additional information about the Statewide Ballot Proposal please visit this link: https://elections.ny.gov/2025-statewide-ballot-proposal 

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