FAQs

Yes! Your tuition status does not affect your eligibility to vote (nor will registering to vote locally qualify you for in-state tuition). https://allinchallenge.org/wp-content/uploads/ALL-IN-Out-of-State-Colle…  

No! You can’t be dropped for registering to vote. This is typically used as an intimidation tactic to suppress the vote. 

The fact that you registered to vote and that you voted, along with your address and party affiliation, are considered public information (although not necessarily easy to access). Your vote itself is anonymous, however.  

(You may want to know that certain other records are public information, such as driver’s license, driver records, court decisions, real estate transactions, etc. Most states are required by law to keep especially sensitive information, such as your social security number and your birthdate confidential.) https://www2.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/crsreports/crsdocuments/RL30318… 

As a student, you have a constitutional right to register and vote at your college address or your family's address - whichever place you consider to be home. That can be your family’s house, your apartment, or your dorm room.  “Misinformation - such as claims that registering to vote at school may jeopardize eligibility for financial aid or insurance - are sometimes used to discourage students from voting locally.” (https://www.campusvoteproject.org/stateguides/New-York)  Note, however, that you select only one place in which to vote: you can’t vote from both your family’s home and at your college home. This is the law in all states; here are references to the New York law: Williams v. Salerno, 792 F.2d 323, 327 (2d Cir. 1986); see also N.Y. Elec. Law § 1-104(22).

Yes! It can be confusing but there are numerous online sites that make it convenient for you to register and vote according to the regulations in your state. RIT has also partnered with TurboVote to make registering to vote and requesting an absentee ballot easier for students.

“Where you register to vote will not affect federal financial aid such as Pell Grants and Perkins or Stafford loans or your dependency status regarding FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) (https://www.campusvoteproject.org/stateguides/New-York). Occasionally, state and private scholarships are reserved for those who live in a particular location; however, voter registration is rarely considered to be definitive of residence for financial aid purposes. If in doubt, ask. 

Yes! Federal law provides that in all 50 states, homeless people can register and vote. They can list a shelter or even a street corner as their residence. They do need to provide a mailing address (which can be different from the registration address), which can be a shelter, organization, or anyone willing to accept mail on their behalf. 

• http://www.nonprofitvote.org/voting-and-homelessness/
• https://lwvny.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/HomelessVoting-br.pdf

The U.S. Constitution grants voting privileges in the general election to the states and the District of Columbia only, not to U.S. territories. Residents of Puerto Rico and other territories (American Somoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam) can vote in presidential primaries but not the general election.

Source: Factcheck.org

In most states, you can check online with your state Board of Elections. There are also websites that assist you in confirming your registration, such as https://www.nass.org/can-i-vote

Check your state's regulations.

Many states, including New York, have provisions allowing victims of domestic violence to keep their voter registration information (and other normally public information) confidential. They may also vote by absentee ballot rather than going to the polls. Check your state’s Board of Elections for the most-up-to-date information. For details of New York’s provisions for victims of domestic violence, see N.Y. Election Law (5-508) (11-306).

"First, make sure you are at the right polling place and check our Election Center to see if your state offers same-day registration so you can register on-site and vote at the same time. If you are at the wrong polling place they will not have your name on the list of voters. If you are at the correct location and are not on the list, you can still cast a ballot. Ask the poll worker for a provisional ballot. After the polls close on Election Day, the state will check on the status of your voter registration and if there was a mistake made. The state must notify you as to whether your ballot was counted. If you have a problem voting and think your rights have been denied, call (866) OUR-VOTE. There will be lawyers there to help." https://www.rockthevote.org/how-to-vote/voting-faqs/

In most states, 17-year-olds may go ahead and register to vote if they will be 18 by General Election Day. Some states allow 17-year-olds to vote in Primaries, as long as they will be 18 by Election Day. https://fairvote.org/archives/reform_library-voter_pre_registration/

The New York’s voter registration form asks for your New York driver’s license or ID number, or the last four digits of your Social Security Number.  If you don’t provide this, you may be asked for ID at the polls. N.Y. Elec. Law § 8-303

“As a full-time student in New York, you may have to make these changes [to your driver's license or car registration] regardless of whether you register to vote in New York. For more information, contact the New York Department of Motor Vehicles.” https://www.campusvoteproject.org/stateguides/New-York

No. Students are often told that registering to vote in a different state from their parents will make them lose their dependency status. This is not true. Where you register to vote will have no effect on your parent’s tax status. https://www.campusvoteproject.org/stateguides/New-York

1. Request your Absentee Ballot Application through TurboVote by October 16th, 2019.
2. Once completed, return your application to your local election office. Applications must be postmarked by October 29, 2019.
3. Once you receive the ballot, carefully read and follow the instructions. Sign and date where indicated.
4. Once completed, return your ballot to your local election office. Absentee Ballots must be post marked by November 4th and received no later than November 19th.

Yes, If you have finished your sentence.

In New York, people with felony convictions can vote after they are finished with incarceration and parole. Voting rights are automatically restored when incarceration/parole ends. No special permission is needed; just go ahead and re-register. (N.Y. Elec. Law § 5-106)

Yes.

See https://www.brennancenter.org/sites/default/files/legacy/Democracy/NY%20State%20voting%20FAQ.pdf, N.Y. Elec. Law § 5-106 .

Asbolutely.

Misdemeanors have no effect on voting rights in NY. People convicted of misdemeanors CAN vote even while incarcerated (absentee). (https://www.nyclu.org/en/know-your-rights/voting-criminal-record; N.Y. Elec. Law § 5-106)

Monroe County uses the Image Cast Optical Scan Voting Machine. It’s basically a sophisticated scanning device. You’ll complete a paper ballot and insert the ballot into the machine. Have a look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVgHcIO3xxs#t=151

Depending on the election, ballots can be pretty confusing to complete. When in doubt, ask one of the poll workers to show you how to complete it correctly. Have a look here for more information: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hs-H_9wkKhs

In 2008, NY State introduced new voting systems designed to provide increased opportunities for individuals with a wide-range of accessibility needs to vote privately and independently through the use of audio and tactile interfaces. Check out this video to learn more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ceTu-K76IA#t=21

Maybe.

In NY, potential jurors are randomly selected from lists of registered voters, holders of drivers’ licenses or ID’s issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles, New York State income tax filers, recipients of unemployment insurance or family assistance, and from volunteers. https://www.nyjuror.gov/juryQandA.shtml#Q2

• IF YOU ARE MOBILITY CHALLENGED: Many but not all polls are handicapped accessible. Contact your local board of elections to see if your voting place is accessible. If it is not, you have the right to have a ballot brought out to you (such as a nearby parking lot) and to vote privately there. HAVA §301(a)(3) . You can also vote by absentee ballot.
• IF YOU CANNOT READ THE BALLOT (BLINDNESS, NON-ENGLISH SPEAKERS, ETC.):In many places, ballots must be made available in Spanish, Chinese, and Korean 28 C.F.R. §55.355.4(2)(b); Voting Rights Act §4(f)(4), 203(c).  You or a helper can check ahead of time with your local Board of Elections. In all states, you are also entitled to bring an assistant with you, as long as your assistant is not your employer or a union representative. Alternatively, you may receive assistance from pollworkers. In this case, you’ll be assisted by election officials from two different political parties, in order to insure unbiased help.  (N.Y. Elec. Law § 8306(1)(5); Voting Rights Act § 208)

Yes.

You are innocent until proven guilty. If you are in jail awaiting trial, you may vote by absentee ballot. https://www.nonprofitvote.org/voting-in-your-state/special-circumstances/voting-as-an-ex-offender/#n http://vote.nyc.ny.us/html/voters/faq.shtml#q23

If you have moved within the same election district, you have the right to vote on a machine in that election district. If you have moved within your county (or within New York City) you have the right to vote at the polling place for your new address by “Affidavit Ballot.”N.Y. Elec. Law § 8-302(3)(b)

Generally, you do not need to bring ID to vote in New York. You simply sign your name, which will be compared with the signature the Board of Elections has on file. If, however, you did not provide ID when you registered to vote, you will be asked to provide ID the first time you vote at the polls. Acceptable ID  at the polls includes a (i) current and valid photo identification such as a student ID, or (ii) current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the voter’s name and address. N.Y. Elec. Law § 8-303.

Political party enrollment is optional but in order to vote in a primary election of a political party, a voter must enroll in that political party, unless state party rules allow otherwise. Currently, the democratic and republican parties’ primaries are closed so only registered members of the respective parties can vote in their primaries. So, students who want to vote in a primary election in New York should plan to declare a party affiliation when registering.

Registered voters who are:

• Absent from your county or, if a resident of New York City absent from said city, on Election Day.
• Unable to appear at the polls due to temporary or permanent illness or disability; or because you are the primary care giver of one or more individuals who are ill or physically disabled.
• A resident or patient of a Veterans Health Administration Hospital.
• Detained in jail awaiting Grand Jury action or confined in prison after conviction for an offense other than a felony.

1. Request your absentee ballot application through TurboVote. 
2. Once completed return your application to your local election office. Applications must be received by noon on the day before Election Day - but highly recommended that you apply at least one month before Election Day.
3. Once you receive the ballot, carefully read and follow the instructions. Sign and date where indicated.
4. Mail your voted ballot back to the address indicated on the return envelope. Completed ballots must be received by poll closings on Election Day.

You may vote by absentee ballot in Massachusetts if:

• you will be absent from your city or town on Election Day.
• you have a physical disability that prevents your voting at the polling place.
• you cannot vote at the polls due to religious beliefs
• you are confined in a correctional facility or jail (but NOT on a felony charge) Generally, a voter must be registered in order to vote absentee, though several exceptions exist: Those outside of Massachusetts, prisoners, and members of the armed forces or merchant marine, or their spouses or dependents, do not need to be registered in order to vote absentee.

1. Request your Absentee Ballot application through TurboVote.
2. Once completed return your application to your local election office. Applications must be received seven days before Election Day.
3. Once you receive the ballot, carefully read and follow the instructions. Sign and date where indicated.
4. Mail your voted ballot back to the address indicated on the return envelope. Completed ballots must be received by 8pm on Election Day. 

Registered voters that are:

• Absent from your county on Election Day.
• Unable to appear at the polls due to temporary or permanent illness or disability; or because you are the primary care giver of one or more individuals who are ill or physically disabled.
• A resident or patient of a Veterans Health Administration Hospital.
• Detained in jail awaiting Grand Jury action or confined in prison after conviction for an offense other than a felony.