A Simple Guide to Voting in Manhattan

NYC Manhattan Skyline
Manhattan Skyline (credit: Lesekreis, Wikimedia Commons)

June 23 is gearing up to be a busy day of voting for Manhattanites. In addition to the Presidential Primary, all of the following Manhattan-based races will be taking place:

  • U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-7) vs. Paperboy Love Prince
  • U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-10) vs. Lindsey Boylan and Jonathan Herzog
  • U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-12) vs. Suraj PatelLauren Ashcraft and Peter Harrison
  • U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-13) vs. James Felton Keith II and Ramon Rodriguez
  • State Senator Brad Hoylman (D-27) vs. Elizabeth Glass
  • State Senator Robert Jackson (D-31) vs. Tirso Santiago Pina
  • Assemblymember Yuh-Line Niou (D-65) vs. Grace Lee
  • Assemblymember Robert Rodriguez (D-68) vs. Tamika Mapp
  • Assemblymember Al Taylor (D-71) vs. Guillermo Perez
  • Assemblymember Dan Quart (D-76) vs. Cameron Koffman

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City has had to implement some changes to Election Day protocols. Here’s a simple guide on how to get your ballot in by June 23 or sooner.

METHOD #1: Vote in Person

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the City has not opted to close down in-person voting. You can still go down to your local polling place and vote in the traditional way, if you so choose. Prior to Election Day, the City is allowing early voting at select polling locations, from now until June 21.

To find out your polling site’s location and its hours of operation, click here.

Bear in mind, however, that there will be restrictions in place to account for the pandemic. Voters will be required to wear a facial covering and maintain at least six feet of distance in every Board of Elections facility. 

METHOD #2: Vote Absentee

Last month, Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) issued an executive order entitling all New Yorkers to absentee ballots. By now, you should have received your absentee ballot application in the mail. If not, you can still apply online here or request your ballot by phone (1-866-VOTE-NYC).

Although the application still requires you to cite a reason for requesting a ballot, Cuomo’s executive order allows any New Yorker to cite “Temporary Illness”, as the definition of such has been expanded to include fear of contracting the coronavirus. 

NOTE: The deadline for requesting an absentee ballot remotely is today. However, if you miss the deadline, you can still request an absentee ballot in-person at Manhattan’s Board of Elections office (200 Varick St.).