Press Release - 09-30-2021

DMV news

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  
Thursday, September 30, 2021  

 

 

DMV REMINDS NEW YORKERS OF APPROACHING DEADLINE TO REGISTER TO VOTE BEFORE ELECTION DAY 

Apply In Person, By Mail or Online 

Nearly 2.4 Million New Yorkers Applied to Register Through DMV Website

 

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) today reminded New Yorkers that the deadline to register to vote in this November’s election is approaching. Voters must register by October 8, 2021 to cast ballots this year.

New Yorkers can apply in-person at the DMV when they complete a driver license, learner permit, or non-driver ID transaction. They must have a reservation to visit a DMV office. Those who already have a license, permit or non-driver ID can visit the DMV website to apply to register or update the information they have on file with the Board of Elections. Applications must be submitted online no later than October 8. Notices of change of address from registered voters received by October 13, 2021 by a county board of elections must be processed and entered in the records in time for the election.

To apply by mail, applications must be postmarked no later than October 8, 2021, and received by a Board of Elections no later than October 13, 2021, to be eligible to vote in the general election. New Yorkers can also register in person at their local Board of Elections. Those who were honorably discharged from the US Military or have become a naturalized US citizen after October 8, 2021 may register in person at the Board of Elections up until October 23, 2021.

“The DMV is proud to offer New Yorkers multiple ways to apply for voter registration,” said DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder. “Voter participation is the cornerstone of our democracy, and I encourage everyone eligible to register.”

New Yorkers can easily apply to register to vote or change their enrollment information using the online voter registration application service on the DMV's website. Almost 2.4 million people have applied to register to vote online since 2012. More than 942,000 were first-time voters. 

To apply to register using the DMV website, customers must enter information from their New York State driver license, permit, or non-driver ID, their date of birth, current zip code, last four digits of their Social Security Number, and their email address. The information provided is validated to ensure accuracy and security.

The DMV does not approve or deny voter registration applications. Upon completion, DMV sends the voter registration applications to the County Board of Elections for review and action. Once processed, the county will notify the applicants either that they are registered to vote or that additional information is needed to complete the application. Additionally, New Yorkers can use the New York State Board of Elections' website to check their voter registration status.

To be eligible to vote in New York, you must: 

  • be a United States citizen;
  • be 18 years old (you may pre-register at 16 or 17 but cannot vote until you are 18);
  • be a resident of this state and the county, city or village for at least 30 days before the election;
  • not be in prison for a felony conviction;
  • not be adjudged mentally incompetent by a court;
  • not claim the right to vote elsewhere.

Read more about the process for registering to vote on the DMV website.