Democracy is on the Ballot this November.
Your Vote Matters + Every Vote Counts!
“The right to vote is precious, almost sacred. People fought for it, bled for it, died for it.
Honor their sacrifice. Vote.” – The Honorable John Lewis
A strong democracy is dependent on active participation in local, state and federal elections. When we all participate, our government better reflects who we are and the values we stand for. This November, we are facing the election of a lifetime. Yet, the ongoing pandemic coupled with voter suppression tactics are creating new barriers for voters in NYC and across the country. It will also cause delays in counting every vote. A complete count is vital to our democracy. We must be patient and vigilant because every vote counts.
F.Y. Eye is raising awareness about how to vote and working with our network of nonprofit partners to mobilize New Yorkers of all backgrounds to get involved in the upcoming election. We are meeting New Yorkers where they are every day to make sure that as many of us who can vote and participate in the election process do.
Stay Strong New York
As we wait to learn the Election results, there may be an increase in tension and community unrest. Please take care of yourself, check in with your neighbors, family members, friends, and loved ones to see how they are doing. Be mindful of how you are communicating with others and help each other get through these uncertain times.
NYC Voting Tips:
- Locate your assigned Election Day Poll Site and view a sample ballot here: https://findmypollsite.vote.nyc/
- Each poll site has a separate line for older adults and voters with disabilities in order to shorten the period of time you have to stand in line.
- Don’t forget to take a face covering with you when you vote + whenever you leave home!
- If you are voting in person on Election Day and are informed that your name is not in the poll book, please confirm that you are at the correct Poll Site. If you believe you are eligible to vote and are at the correct Poll Site, you have the right to vote by affidavit ballot (also referred to as a provisional ballot). Please make sure to complete your affidavit ballot correctly before you leave the Poll Site. The Board of Elections will verify your voter eligibility and confirm that you voted at the correct Poll Site before counting your vote.
- A trusted friend, family member, or neighbor MAY deposit your completed absentee ballot in the collection box at any NYC Election Day Poll Site on your behalf if you don’t feel comfortable going to a Poll Site.
- NYS law requires the Board of Elections to contact voters if any problems are found with absentee ballots (such as a missing signature) and to give them an opportunity to cure.
- Absentee ballots that are postmarked and received by the Board of Elections by November 10th will be counted if everything is in order, please be aware that you could receive notification of an error with your absentee ballot (as well as instructions for how to cure the error) any time after Election Day and before the New York State Election results are certified. Please make sure to open any correspondence from the Board of Elections promptly.
- At this point, please, DO NOT mail your absentee ballot, as it will not be received in time by the Board of Elections, and therefore, will not be counted.
- Check the status of your absentee ballot using the online tracking system: https://nycabsentee.com/tracking
- If you experience voting issues or intimidation:
- Call the NYS Attorney General’s election hotline at 1-800-771-7755 OR complete their webform at: https://ag.ny.gov/election-hotline
- Report it to the Board of Elections at 1-866-868-3692
- Call the national non-partisan election protection hotline at 1-866-687-8683
- Get the name and title of the person who is challenging your right to vote
Our Plan + What We’re Doing:
- Build a voting PSA clearinghouse that provides a diverse array of nonprofit and community-created civic graphics available for download
- Disseminate up-to-date voter information from leading nonpartisan voter engagement nonprofits on how to register, confirm registration, vote absentee and vote in person both early and on Election Day using all of our distribution channels
- Encourage our mission-driven media partners to donate remnant space to further amplify strategic and effective voter engagement messages
- Help guide New Yorkers to develop a plan and decide how and when they will cast their vote
- Integrate civic engagement tools into our website and encourage our nonprofit partners to do the same.
- Partner with New York nonprofits and other community-based organizations serving new voters and politically disengaged populations on voter outreach and mobilization campaigns
- Motivate willing and able New Yorkers to serve as poll workers
- Use the power of art and design to inspire voter participation with F.Y. Eye’s Impact Artist CollectiveTM and young artists living throughout New York
Your Plan: Get Involved + Vote
- Confirm Your Registration: Double check that you are registered to vote here. If you are not registered to vote, or you have registered at the wrong address, then you can register/update your voter registration here. The deadline to register to vote has now passed. It was October 9, 2020.
- Apply to Vote by Mail NOW: Request your mail in ballot (aka “absentee ballot”) early to ensure it arrives on time. You must postmark, apply online, email or fax your completed application by October 27, 2020. You may apply in-person by November 2, 2020. Ballots will be mailed beginning on September 18, 2020. New York no longer requires an excuse to vote absentee – the pandemic is excuse enough.
- Vote! Mail in your ballot, drop it off at a drop box or at your elections office, or vote in person.
- You are still eligible to vote in person (Early Voting or on Election Day) if you request an absentee ballot.
- If you vote absentee/by mail, then you can track the status of your ballot online.
- Early Voting will take place from October 24, 2020 – November 1, 2020. Election Day is November 3, 2020.
- If you vote in person, don’t forget to properly wear your mask and stay six feet apart from others.
- Become a Poll Worker! Help ensure that as many polling locations as possible are open and available for each and every New Yorker to cast her/his/their ballot. Learn more about paid poll worker opportunities in New York here.
Key Election Dates
- 10/9: Voter registration deadline
- 10/24: Early voting starts
- 10/27: Absentee/Vote-By-Mail ballot request deadline
- 11/1: Early voting ends
- 11/3: Absentee/Vote-By-Mail ballot postmark deadline
- 11/3: Election Day
Other Useful Resources
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