NYC mayoral election 2017: How to vote in the primaries

The New York City mayoral election is happening on November 7, and although it’s still a ways off, its primaries are quickly approaching—that vote will happen this Tuesday, September 12. Read on for everything you need to know about voting in NYC’s 2017 mayoral primary election.

When is the NYC primary election?

The primaries take place on September 12, with polls opening at 6 a.m. and closing at 9 p.m.

How do I find my polling spot?

The NYC Board of Elections has a microsite where you can enter your address to find your polling place. Not sure of your registration status? You can check on it here.

The BOE also has helpful advice for those who may need assistance during tomorrow’s primary election, as well as some details on what to expect. (Our advice: Get to your polling site early.)

Do I have to be affiliated with a political party to vote in the primaries?

The short answer is yes, you must be affiliated with a political party to vote in the primaries. New Yorkers registering to vote for the first time must declare a political party affiliation to vote in the primaries.

The deadline for existing voters wishing to change their party affiliation before they vote in the primaries has already passed, as has the deadline to register to vote in the primaries altogether. (You cannot change your enrollment and vote in the new party of your choice in the same year.)

That doesn’t mean a registered Democrat can’t vote Republican in the November 7 general election, or vice versa—it just means that a registered Democrat or Republican cannot vote in the primary outside of her or his affiliated party.

There’s still time to change party affiliation for 2018 elections before the November 7 general election. The last day to change your party enrollment before the general election is October 13. In order to do so, voters must submit a new voter registration form. That can be found here.

Who’s running?

In the September 12 primaries, registered Democrats will be voting for their candidate from a relatively wide pool including incumbent mayor Bill de Blasio, Sal Albanese, Richard Bashner, Robert Gangi, and Michael Tolkin.

Republican candidate Nicole Malliotakis is currently running uncontested within the party. That means there is technically no Republican primary election.

In addition to the Democrat and Republican parties, New York state recognizes the Conservative, Working Families, Independence, Green, Women’s Equality, and Reform parties. Candidates are not restricted to only running for one party; Bill de Blasio is also the Working Families party candidate, Nicole Malliotakis is also the Conservative party candidate, and Sal Albanese is also the Reform party candidate.

Additional candidates running in the 2017 NYC mayoral election include Green party candidate Akeem Browder.

Voter registration guidelines

Voters wishing to participate in the primary must be a citizen of the United States; be a New York City resident for at least 30 days; be 18 before the next election; not be serving a jail sentence or on parole for a felony conviction; not be adjudged mentally incompetent by a court; and not claim the right to vote elsewhere (outside of New York City.)

Find additional information about the mayoral election here. For a full calendar of the New York Board of Election deadlines, head this way.