This year is quickly proving pivotal on the political front for New York and the United States. In addition to the Presidential and congressional elections, there are all sorts of ballot initiatives that will impact the people for years to come.

Ensuring that you're registered to vote and ready to cast your vote is becoming increasingly important.

READ MORE: New York Has Several Big Elections This Year That Need Your Vote

While there are several things that New York State could do to make the process more efficient, the Empire State makes registering to vote pretty straightforward. A few clicks of your mouse or scribbles on a piece of paper will have you officially registered as a New York voter. But do you know how to register to vote?

How Many People Are Registered To Vote

As important as voting is to our country, it's always interesting to see how few people vote yearly.

According to the US Census Bureau, the national voter turnout rate in 2022 was just over 52%, with an estimated voter registration rate of about 69%. In 2022, roughly 233 million American citizens were of voting age (18+), meaning that approximately 121 million people voted last year, while the remaining 112 million Americans either stayed home or weren't registered to vote at all.

2024 West Indian Day Parade
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Low voter turnout has been a continuous problem in America, and according to a study by the Pew Charitable Trusts, more non-voters are simply not asked to register to vote.

READ MORE: New York’s Democracy Needs Your Help This Year

If so, please register to vote in the 2024 elections today.

How Do You Register to Vote In New York State?

So, if you're not registered to vote, how do you do so? It's a relatively simple process in the Empire State. To become a registered New York voter, you need to:

  • be a United States Citizen
  • be at least 18 years old
  • you may pre-register at 16 or 17 but cannot vote until you are 18
  • be a resident of New York 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

If you meet these qualifications, then you can register to vote.

In this photo illustration New York State Voter Registration
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You can submit your registration online, via US Mail, or in person.

The deadline to register to vote is Saturday, October 26, 2024, so act fast if you're not registered. You can check on the New York State Elections website if you don't remember if you're registered to vote.

Happy registering, and we'll see you at the polls on November 5th.

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