What You Need to Know to Vote in the November 5 General Election in New York

On Nov. 5, 2024, the country will be hitting the polls for the General Election.

In New York, voters will not only be casting ballots for the country’s next president, but other federal, state, and local offices as well. This is an important time for Uptown residents to make their voices heard, so make sure you’re registered to vote by Oct. 26.

Who will be on my ballot this time around?

Alongside the presidential candidates, your ballot could also include candidates for the U.S. Senate, the House of Representatives, and other state and local offices. Your ballot will look different depending on where you live, but to get an idea of how your ballot will look when you go to vote, both Ballotpedia and the NYC Board of Elections website have tools for you to access a sample ballot.

Learn more about how New York City’s local offices and the country’s federal offices impact our lives at this resource by NYC Vote. 

What are the dates that I need to know for the Nov. 5 election? 

These are the important dates you need to know to get ready for Nov. 5, including information on early voting, voter registration, absentee ballots, and polling places.  

• Oct. 26: This is the last day to submit an application (by mail or in-person) to a board of elections to register to vote.
• Oct. 26 - Nov. 3: Early voting period in New York City! You must vote at your early voting poll site. 
• Nov. 5: General Election day! Polls are open from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm. You must vote at your assigned poll site. If you are voting absentee and mailing your ballot, it must be postmarked no later than this date. If you are returning your ballot in-person, you must bring it to your County Board of Elections Office or a poll site in your county by 9:00 pm. 

How do I know if I can vote in the Nov. 5 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 nycvotersearch.com. 

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. 5 and during early voting? 

Early Voting Locations

Columbia University proudly serves as an early voting location in Manhattanville at 605 W. 125 St., (The Forum) and in Washington Heights at 650 W. 168th St. (William Black Medical Research Building). Visit the NYC Board of Elections website to find your assigned early voting location.

Nov. 5 Polling Locations

You can find your exact polling location for Nov. 5 by searching your address on Vote NYC’s website. And remember, polls are open from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm on Nov. 5.