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New York State's presidential primary elections has been moved up a month to February 5th this year. But if want to participate in the Super Tuesday frenzy, you better make sure you're registered to vote!
The voter registration deadline for voting the primary is January 11. The City Council's Governmental Operations Committee is organizing voter registration drives that start earlier; committee chair City Coucil member Simcha Felder said, "Voting is an important civic responsibility of all Americans. It would be tragic if someone were unable to vote because they were unaware of the new voter registration deadline."
You can get a voter registration form here. And what is the big deal about a primary? Well, as the NY State Board of Elections says, "The purpose of the presidential primary is to select delegates to a national convention of a political party." For Republicans, who ever wins the primary gets all of NY State's delegates, but for Democrats, candidates win a proportion of delegates which means a number of candidates can walk away with delegates- for more explanation, read this.
Photograph by Vidiot on Flickr
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"It would be tragic if someone were unable to vote because they were unaware of the new voter registration deadline."
If it's so damn tragic, why have voter registration in the first place. You should be able to vote with either a passport, or a drivers license and birth certificate. Actually it should be able to work with simply a drivers license (barcode verified) and social security number.
And how come we all can't vote with a scantron sheet? These things work for the SAT.. why not for voting? Just bubble in your vote with a Number 2 pencil.
Maybe someone can clarify this for me:
I'm registered to vote in the proper district, but I'm registered as an independent. If I want to change my party affiliation so I can vote in a primary, how do I go about that? And when do I have to have it done by?
Anyone know how to confirm what location you're registered to vote at? I moved a few years ago, and keep trecking to my old neighborhood to vote, but would rather vote near my apartment.
Try http://votersearch.org to confirm where you are registered.
@JMH:
From the League of Women Voters:
The last day for New York voters to enroll in a political party or change party enrollment for the 2008 primary elections was October 12, 2007
The last day for first-time voters or those not currently registered, to register and/or to enroll in a party in order to vote in the Presidential Primary on February 5, 2008 is January 11, 2008.
This is because of an old law intended to reduce voter fraud by shielding voters from "influence" to change their affiliations at the last minute.
Oh well. Thanks for the info.
@gshepp: to change your polling station, you're told by vote nyc to just register to vote again. this (in theory) voids your ability to vote in the old district and registers you at your new address.
and @JMH: while i think matukonyc may be correct, you could probably just re-register with a party affiliation. i think that would effectively override your current registration. i would recommend calling vote nyc though.