Early voting in New York City’s June primary election launches Saturday at polling sites across the five boroughs, with several competitive contests on the ballot.
Those include high-profile congressional races in Manhattan and Brooklyn as well as a variety of state races for legislative seats and comptroller.
New York does not have open primaries, so only registered party voters can vote for candidates seeking their party’s nomination in the November general election. In the heavily Democratic city, the fiercest races are among Democrats.
Unlike in last year’s mayoral race, there is no ranked-choice voting in this election.
Early voting runs through June 21, and Primary Day is June 23. Here’s what you need to know to cast your ballot during early voting.
Table of contents
What big races are happening?How can I register to vote? Is there a deadline?What if I’m already registered but recently moved?How can I check my registration status?Where can I find my polling place and see what will be on my ballot?When are poll sites open?Can I check wait times before going?How do I vote by mail if I’ll be away?What if I encounter issues while voting or have questions?I’m a Midtown voter. Will the World Cup affect my ability to get to my poll site?I want to vote in person on Primary Day. When and where can I do that?Where can I find the results after Primary Day?
What big races are happening?
At the federal level, elections for Congressional Districts 7, 10, 12 and 13 have drawn the most attention, campaigning and fundraising.
District 7: Parts of northern and eastern Brooklyn and western Queens. Democratic candidates running to replace retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez include Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, State Assemblymember Claire Valdez and City Councilmember Julie Won.
District 10: Parts of northern and western Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan. Democratic incumbent Rep. Dan Goldman is trying to fend off a challenge from former City Comptroller Brad Lander.
District 12: Manhattan from roughly 14th Street to the north end of Central Park. Democratic candidates running to replace retiring Rep. Jerry Nadler include State Assemblymembers Alex Bores and Micah Lasher, Kennedy scion and influencer Jack Schlossberg, attorney George Conway and public health expert Nina Schwalbe.
District 13: Manhattan from roughly the north end of Central Park to Marble Hill and parts of the northwestern Bronx. Democratic incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat is defending his seat against a challenge from community organizer Darializa Avila Chevalier.
At the state level, all Assembly and Senate seats as well as comptroller are up for election this year.
Democratic incumbent Comptroller Tom DiNapoli is trying to fend off challenges from entrepreneur Raj Goyle and former nonprofit housing executive Drew Warshaw.
Uncontested primary contests will not appear on ballots; check whether your state districts have primary races by entering your home address on the city Board of Elections website.
At the city level, new Councilmember Carl Wilson, a Democrat, is defending his seat from challengers Layla Law-Gisiko, a civic leader, and Leslie Boghosian Murphy, a former journalist. Wilson won the seat representing the 3rd Council District, which covers largely western parts of Lower and Midtown Manhattan, in an April special election to replace Erik Bottcher, who left it after winning a seat in the state Senate. Lindsey Boylan, who lost in the special election for the Council seat, will appear on the ballot but is not actively campaigning in the primary.
How can I register to vote? Is there a deadline?
You must register online or in person at your borough elections board office to vote in the primary by this Saturday, June 13. Applications submitted by mail must be received by this date. New York has closed primaries, meaning only registered party members can vote in those contests. The deadline for already registered voters to change their party affiliation passed in February.
What if I’m already registered but recently moved?
June 8 was the last day to request a change of address on your voter registration. If you missed the deadline, you can go to your new polling location and request an affidavit ballot with your new address.
How can I check my registration status?
You can use this Board of Elections tool with your name, birthday, borough and ZIP code.
Where can I find my polling place and see what will be on my ballot?
The Board of Elections has a tool on its website where you can input your home address.
When are poll sites open?
Saturday, June 13: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday, June 14: 9 a.m.-5 p.m
Monday, June 15: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Tuesday, June 16: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Wednesday, June 17: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Thursday, June 18: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Friday, June 19 (Juneteenth): 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday, June 20: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday, June 21: 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Can I check wait times before going?
Yes. The Board of Elections has a map for that.
How do I vote by mail if I’ll be away?
The last day to apply for an absentee ballot online or by mail is June 13. You can apply in person at your borough elections board office through June 22. The last day to postmark and submit your ballot is June 23, Primary Day, and it must be received by your borough elections board by June 30.
What if I encounter issues while voting or have questions?
You can contact the Board of Election executive or borough offices by phone at the numbers listed here. You can also call the state attorney general’s election hotline at 866-390-2992 or submit an inquiry or complaint online.
I’m a Midtown voter. Will the World Cup affect my ability to get to my poll site?
If you need to get there by car or bus, it might, as traffic is expected to be heavy during local game days, which start on June 13. If you need to take the subway or are commuting via rail in Midtown, you can expect some crowding, especially at Penn Station.
I want to vote in person on Primary Day. When and where can I do that?
Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on June 23. You can check your day-of polling place on the Board of Elections website. Take note: Your early voting and Primary Day voting places may be different, depending on where you live.
Where can I find the results after Primary Day?
Check out the Board of Elections website after 9 p.m. on June 23 and follow our coverage at The City Reporter.
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The post Early voting in NYC primary starts Saturday: What to know and how to vote appeared first on The City Reporter.
