Frequently Asked Questions About Voting

I just turned 18 and I want to register to vote. What must I do?
Download a voter registration form from this web site, or get a form by calling your Town Democratic Party Headquarters, the Suffolk County Democratic Committee at (631) 852-4569 or the Board of Elections at (631) 852-4500. You may also get forms from your post office, library, Department of Motor Vehicle office, Town or Village hall.

What's the difference between "registering" and "enrolling" to vote?
In order to vote, State law requires that Suffolk residents register with the County Board of Elections. The registration form has a space for you to choose one of the recognized political parties and enroll as a member, if you wish. We certainly hope you enroll as a Democrat, because then you will be allowed to participate in primary elections of Democrats and sign designating petitions to get candidates on the ballot. Of course, you may choose not to enroll in a political party, forfeiting your right to choose candidates in primary races.

I want to change my party designation to Democrat, although I've been a Republican for years.
Great news! Just download a registration form or get one from the places mentioned above. Change your enrollment in the space provided on the form. Mail it to the Suffolk Board of Elections, Yaphank Avenue, Yaphank, NY ll780. And welcome to the Democratic Way!

I'm an enrolled Democrat and I want to vote, but I just moved to a new neighborhood in the same town. May I still vote at my old polling place?
No. Download a voter registration form and fill in the change of address section. Mail it to the County Board of Elections.

I intend to be out of the county on the day of an election (on vacation, at school, traveling for business or in the hospital, for example). How can I vote?
Call the Board of Elections at (631) 852-4500 and ask for an Absentee Ballot Application form.

I'm enrolled in the Independence (or Green or Working Families or Republican or other) Party. Is it legal for me to vote in Democratic Primary elections?
No. You may vote in primaries only in the party in which you are enrolled.

What's an Election District?
Each of Suffolk's ten towns is divided up into small geographical areas called Election Districts. Each of these districts has two Democratic committeepersons who are responsible for circulating nominating petitions, registering new voters, answering voters' questions and getting out the vote on Election Day. Your town also has Assembly Districts (larger areas from which our Assembly representatives are elected), New York State Senate Districts, Congressional Districts. The higher the office, the larger the district. The Election District is included in all of the larger districts.

Download Voter Registration Form
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