The 2008 General Elections are critical in determining the future of social work practice. NASW-NYS is committed to registering all social workers to vote. Social Work Speaks encourages all social workers to work with and support established organizations and entities to increase voter registration and participation in all elections (Presidential, Congressional and State Elections). Registration is a beginning step in obtaining political empowerment for everyone. Social workers are encouraged to help educate clients to be informed voters and to mobilize them to vote in elections.
IMPORTANT VOTER REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Primary Date- September 9, 2008
General Election Date- November 4, 2008
Voter Registration Deadline – You must be registered to vote 25 days before the election in which you are going to vote!
You can register in person at your local board of elections or any state agency participating in the National Voter Registration Act, on any business day throughout the year.
To find your local board of elections or a state agency participating in the National Voter Registration Act go to the NYS Board of Elections website at www.elections.state.ny.us
Qualifications - To register to vote in New York State, an individual must meet the following qualifications:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be at least 18 years old
- Live at present address at least 30 days before an election
- Not be in jail or on parole for a felony conviction
- Not claim the right to vote elsewhere
Obtaining a Voter Registration Form or Registering Online
You may now register to vote online through our National website by clicking here. Or, you can register in person at your county board of elections or at any NYS Agency-Based voter registration center. You can also call the State Board of Elections at 1-800-FOR-VOTE to request a voter registration form.
New York Absentee Ballots
Any voter who meets one of the following qualifications may vote by absentee ballot:
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Voter is unavoidably absent for his/her county on election day; or
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Voter is unable to appear at the polls due to illness or disability; or
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Voter is a patient in a veteran's administration hospital, or
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Voter is detained in jail awaiting grand jury action or confined in prison after conviction for an offense other than a felony.
Applications for absentee ballots are available at your county board of elections. You may also download a PDF version of the NYS absentee ballot application form by going to the NYS Board of Elections website at: http://www.elections.state.ny.us/NYSBOE/download/voting/absentee.pdf
Applications for absentee ballots must be mailed to your county board of elections no later than the seventh day before the election; or if submitted in person, no later than the day before the election. If you want to request an absentee ballot by mail, your county board must receive the request no earlier than 30 days, and no later than 7 days before the election. You will then be mailed an application and a ballot. You must return the completed application along with your ballot by the appropriate deadlines above.
Registered to Vote but Don't Know Where to Go?
Contact your county board of elections office to find out your polling location. For a list of the county boards and other helpful information regarding elections check out Project Vote Smart’s Website at: http://www.vote-smart.org/index.htm.
Or contact the New York State Board of Elections:
40 Steuben Street
Albany, NY 12207-2108
Voter Information Hotline: 800-367-8683
E-mail address: info@elections.state.ny.us
Website: http://www.elections.state.ny.us
