How to vote for Alexa
New York City’s 2021 general election is Tuesday, Nov. 2. Voting in the Nov. 2 general election is an important way to make sure your voice is heard in this year’s City Council election!
Voting in NYC is easier than ever this year. New York City voters have three options: (1) you can vote in person during the early voting period from Oct. 23 to Oct. 31, (2) you can fill out an absentee ballot and submit it no later than Election Day, or (3) you can vote in person on Election Day on Nov. 2.
You may be thinking, didn’t I just vote? The answer is, Yes! You were able to vote for Alexa Avilés in the Democratic Primary. Now, we have one more election before Alexa (hopefully!) is inaugurated into office to serve District 38 in January.
Here are the answers to a few common questions about voting in this year’s citywide elections:
When and how do I vote?
There are three ways to vote in the general election this year:
Voting on Election Day, Nov. 2!
Voting early, Oct. 23 - Oct. 31!
Voting absentee, no later than Election Day, Nov. 2!
Voting on Election Day, Nov. 2
Voting on Election Day is as simple as showing up and filling out your ballot! To find your polling place, simply enter your address here. Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 9 p.m. While we suggest getting to the polls as early as you can, remember that if you get in line before 9 p.m., you have the right to cast your ballot!
Voting early
If you wish to cast your ballot before Election Day, you may vote early between Oct. 23 and Oct. 31. Early voting is in-person, but your early voting polling place may be different from your Election Day polling place.
You can find your early voting polling place here, and click here to see the times during which the polls are open. Early voting is a great choice if you know you’ll be busy on Election Day, want to avoid long lines or just can’t wait to vote for Alexa!
Voting by mail
You can apply for an absentee ballot in person at the Kings County Board of Elections Office, located at 345 Adams Street, 4th Floor. You have until Nov. 1 to apply for an absentee ballot in person, meaning that you go to the BOE, ask for your absentee ballot, and can fill it out right there. Essentially, it’s like another way to vote early, if you wish to do so.
Absentee ballots are primarily for New Yorkers who are out of the City or will be away for Election Day — but there are other valid reasons to choose absentee voting. If you wish to vote absentee due to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated risks, check the box titled “Temporary Illness” as your reason for voting absentee.
You must either postmark your absentee ballot or drop it off at your local board of elections no later than Nov. 2. Remember both your ballot, and the back of the envelope, or your ballot will be invalidated!
Any way you vote is acceptable, but it’s important to take five minutes to make sure you know how to vote, and come up with a voting plan beforehand. People who make a plan are way more likely to exercise their right to vote! And bring a friend with you to the polls. By helping your friends, family and neighbors come up with voting plans of their own, you help democracy work.
Am I eligible to vote?
You are eligible to vote in the 2021 general election if you are at least 18 years old, a US citizen, and have registered to vote by Oct. 8, 2021. In New York State, felons have the right to vote! You can check here to confirm that you’re registered to vote.
New York Voting Schedule
Deadline for requesting an absentee ballot in person: Nov. 1
Early voting period (in person): Oct. 23 - Oct. 31
Election Day: Nov. 2
Find your polling place
New York City Council District 38
NYC Council District 38 comprises Sunset Park, Red Hook, Greenwood Heights, and portions of Borough Park, Dyker Heights and Windsor Terrace.