What You Need to Know About the November 4 New York General Election
Here’s what you need to know about the Nov. 4 General Election, which includes a hotly contested mayoral race.
This election includes a high-stakes mayoral race and a full slate of local races.
Read on to learn about registration and voting deadlines and where to find more information about each race.
What will be on the ballot on Nov. 4?
- Mayor
- City Comptroller
- Public Advocate
- Borough President
- City Council
- Ballot proposals on affordable housing, expedited land use review, mapping, and city election years.
You can receive a sample ballot, which includes the offices and candidates that will be on your ballot on voting day, at the Board of Elections website. You can also find a sample ballot at vote411.org.
If you would like more information about the candidates that will be on your ballot, NYC Votes offers a "What's on the Ballot?" resource. Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs also offers a candidate overview at whosontheballot.org. Both of these resources are normally updated as election day approaches, but individual research on candidates is encouraged.
What are the dates that I need to know for the Nov. 4 election?
These are the important dates you need to know to get ready for Nov.4 , including information on early voting, voter registration, absentee ballots, and polling places.
- OCT. 20: This is the day voter registration change of address must be received by the Board of Elections.
- OCT. 25: This is the last day to submit an application to the Board of Elections to receive an early mail ballot, absentee ballot, and voter registration form. You can submit these forms online, by email, or by phone. Learn more about ways to vote on NYC Votes.
- OCT. 25 to NOV. 2: Early voting. Find your early voting poll site here (it may be different than your regular voting site).
- NOV. 3: Last day to apply in person to vote by mail at the Board of Elections.
- NOV. 4: Deadline to return early voting ballot and absentee ballot. You can deliver your ballot in person at the Board of Elections or your local poll site by 9 p.m.
- NOV. 4: General Election day! Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. You must vote at your assigned poll site.
How do I know if I can vote in the Nov. 4 General Election?
In the General Election, you are eligible to vote for any candidate from any party as long as you are registered to vote. Even if you have not voted in the primary elections, you are still able to cast your vote this time around. See if you are already registered and with which political party at voterlookup.elections.ny.gov.
Columbia University also contracts with TurboVote, an online platform that helps residents from all 50 states register to vote, request a mail-in ballot, and sign up for election reminders.
If I am an Upper Manhattan resident, where can I go to vote on Nov. 4 and during early voting?
Early Voting Locations
If you're planning to vote early in this election, enter your address at findmypollsite.vote.nyc to find your assigned early voting location. For Manhattanville residents, early voting will once again take place at The Lee C. Bollinger Forum, 605 West 125th Street.
Nov. 4 Polling Locations
If you plan to vote on Nov. 4, enter your address at findmypollsite.vote.nyc. A reminder that all polls are open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
What changed about absentee and early mail-in voting?
The New York Early Mail Voter Act took effect on January 1, 2024, applying to all elections moving forward, and established an additional method of voting in New York: voting early by mail.
Any registered voter can use an early mail ballot. The difference between an early mail ballot and absentee ballot is that absentee ballots require a "valid reason" for being unable to vote in person, such as being out of town or illness/injury. You can still vote absentee, but now all registered voters in New York can use early mail-in voting without needing to provide a reason.
Learn more here and in the video below.