This voter guide is now outdated. It was created for the 2020 presidential primary. To see the most up-to-date voter guide, click here.
2020 NYC PRIMARY
VOTER GUIDE
A NOTE OF INTENTION
This Voter Guide is part of Theater in Asylum’s efforts around The Debates 2020, a theatrical adaptation of the Democratic Primary Debates. Our goal is to inspire audiences to engage in theater, debate, and democracy.
Please note that this voter guide was compiled by artists with Theater in Asylum who are not elections experts, nor lawyers. We are just eager participants in debate and democracy, and hope you will be too. If you believe any of the following information is erroneous, or that we missed something crucial, please let us know at [email protected].
Please also note that this guide is made with Democrats in New York City in mind. We encourage all other voters to check out Vote.org.
Please note that this voter guide was compiled by artists with Theater in Asylum who are not elections experts, nor lawyers. We are just eager participants in debate and democracy, and hope you will be too. If you believe any of the following information is erroneous, or that we missed something crucial, please let us know at [email protected].
Please also note that this guide is made with Democrats in New York City in mind. We encourage all other voters to check out Vote.org.
WHEN IS THE ELECTION?
New York’s Primary Election is on Tuesday, June 23, 2020. Early Voting is June 13-21. Absentee ballot must be requested by June 16 and returned by June 22.
WHAT ARE WE VOTING ON?
This is a primary. So, for example, if you are a registered Democrat, you will be choosing who you want to be the Democratic nominee to appear on the November General Election ballot. In New York, the Democratic Primary is the way more contested election than the General Election. In this election cycle, New York voters to nominate candidates for:
You can preview your ballot here.
*A note about the Presidential primary. While the contest has been largely decided in favor of former vice president Joe Biden, many candidates who have dropped out will still appear on the ballot. Some candidates, like Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, are advocating voters still to vote for them to give them influence at the Democratic National Convention. You can research your preferred candidate’s stance on this and vote accordingly.
- President of the United States (including choosing delegates)*
- All 27 NY seats in the U.S. House of Representatives
- All 63 seats in the NY state senate
- All 150 seats in the NY state assembly
- Queens Borough President (a special election)
- Some people will have judges to vote on, depending on where you live
You can preview your ballot here.
*A note about the Presidential primary. While the contest has been largely decided in favor of former vice president Joe Biden, many candidates who have dropped out will still appear on the ballot. Some candidates, like Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, are advocating voters still to vote for them to give them influence at the Democratic National Convention. You can research your preferred candidate’s stance on this and vote accordingly.
CAN I VOTE?
Please note that New York’s primaries are “closed,” meaning you must be registered with the party in whose primary you would like to participate. Check your registration status here. Unfortunately, the deadline to change parties has passed.
WHAT ABOUT ABSENTEE VOTING?
All eligible NY voters are entitled to vote absentee during this pandemic.
Per order of the governor: “To help prevent the community spread of COVID-19, all registered, eligible voters may apply to vote by Absentee ballot for the June 23, 2020 elections. Voters affected by COVID-19 including the risk of contracting the virus, should check the box "Temporary Illness" as the reason for requesting an Absentee Ballot. The definition has been temporarily expanded to include those affected by COVID-19 and/or the potential of contracting the virus.”
The process of Absentee Voting:
Learn more about absentee voting here.
Per order of the governor: “To help prevent the community spread of COVID-19, all registered, eligible voters may apply to vote by Absentee ballot for the June 23, 2020 elections. Voters affected by COVID-19 including the risk of contracting the virus, should check the box "Temporary Illness" as the reason for requesting an Absentee Ballot. The definition has been temporarily expanded to include those affected by COVID-19 and/or the potential of contracting the virus.”
The process of Absentee Voting:
- Apply for an absentee ballot online here (by June 16!)
- Receive your absentee ballot in the mail
- Fill it out, feel the power
- Mail your absentee ballot (must be postmarked by Monday, June 22, or dropped off in person at the Board of Elections by 9pm on June 23)
Learn more about absentee voting here.
CAN I STILL VOTE IN PERSON?
Yes. Polls will be open 6am-9pm on Tuesday, June 23, 2020. If you choose to vote in person, please be safe. Wear a mask and maintain social distancing. And thank the elections workers, they’re essential! You can find your poll site here.
WHAT IF I WANT TO VOTE EARLY?
All eligible NY voters are entitled to vote early. Your early polling site may be different from your regular polling site, and early voting hours vary by day. Please head over to this site to get your specific early voting details.
AN ELABORATED LIST OF DATES
- Saturday, June 13 - In-person deadline to register to vote
- Saturday, June 13 - Early voting begins
- Tuesday, June 16 - Last day to request an absentee ballot
- Monday, June 22 - Technically, you can still apply for an absentee ballot in person up until this day, but if you’re going to do this in person, you might as well just vote early.
- Monday, June 22 - Last day to return (postmark) an absentee ballot
- Tuesday, June 23 - Primary Election day!
- Friday, October 9 - Deadline to register for the General Election
- Wednesday, October 14 - Change of address for General Election due
- Saturday, October 24 - First day for early voting in General Election
- Tuesday, November 3 - General Election day!
USEFUL LINKS
- Check your registration status
- NYC Poll Site Locator (also has preview ballot)
- Absentee voting info
- Apply for an absentee ballot (by June 16!)
- Early Voting info
- Register to vote (in November)
- Voting Rights in NY
WHAT IF I NEED HELP?
1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683) is a fabulous resource. Please call them if you have questions or run into problems at your polling place.
A DISCLAIMER
All expenditures for The Debates 2020 are paid for by Theater in Asylum. No action, script line, voting guide, or event is authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. Theater in Asylum does not endorse any candidate in this race. We simply want more people, people like you, to engage and participate. No copyright infringement, defamation, libel, or slander is intended. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to email us at [email protected]. Please don’t sue us!