Important Election Dates for 2021
*IN PROGRESS*
Organized by
Community Event
Date
Tuesday, June 22, 2021 to
Tuesday, November 2, 2021
Description
The Primary Election is June 22 and the General Election is November 2.
New this year! Ranked choice voting will be used for New York City offices: Mayor, Borough President, Comptroller, City Council Members and Public Advocate. Learn about ranked choice voting and the new ballot from the NYC Campaign Finance Board’s guide nyccfb.info/nyc-votes/ranked-choice-voting and FAQs nyccfb.info/nyc-votes/ranked-choice-voting-faqs.
Primary elections determine which candidates will appear on the ballot for your party. In New York State, you must be registered with a political party in order to vote in that party's Primary Election on June 22, 2021.
It is a best practice to verify your voter registration at nycvotersearch.com, Check your polling place and generate a sample ballot (when the ballot is ready). The sample ballot will show you who the candidates will be on your ballot, and will show you a ballot using the Ranked Choice Voting format for local candidates.
Learn more about the NYC Board of Elections plan to count and certify the votes at vote.nyc/page/canvass-information.
February 16 Deadline to change your party enrollment for the Primary Election (extended for 2 days by Governor's Executive Order). Changes received on or after February 15 until seven days after the June Primary will be set aside and opened the seventh day following the June Primary and entered in the voter's registration record. Re-register to change your party enrollment vote.nyc/page/register-vote.
May 28 Deadline to Register to Vote in the June Primary. You can register to vote by mail, in person, or online with a New York State Drivers License or Identification Card at dmv.ny.gov/more-info/electronic-voter-registration-application. Or call 866-VOTE-NYC (866-686-3692) to have your voter registration card mailed to you for you to complete and return by mail. Voter registration forms must be received by the BOE by June 2 for the Primary Election. Register by downloading, completing and mailing a voter registration form at vote.nyc/page/register-vote. If your address changes, you must re-register.
The Voter Assistance Advisory Committee (VAAC) advises the Campaign Finance Board on its voter engagement efforts and recommends legislative and administrative changes to improve NYC elections. If you have comments, you can email them to Jordan Pantalone at jpantalone@nyccfb.info.
June 2 Deadline for Change of Address notifications for the Primary Election. Re-register to submit a Change of Address notification.
June 12 - 20 Early Voting for the Primary Election. Check your registration status online to get your early voting polling places at nycvotersearch.com. You'll have to enter some personal information (name, address, date of birth).
June 15 Last Day to Apply for an Absentee Ballot for the Primary Election. Request your Absentee Ballot online at vote.nyc/page/absentee-voting-0 or download, complete, and mail in your absentee ballot application. It is now possible to view a sample ballot with all of the candidates for the primary election and to get information about early voting poll sites. Absentee Ballot request tracking. You can track the status of the application being processed and the ballot being mailed to you at nycabsentee.com. Absentee ballots sent by mail must be received by the Board of Elections by June 29. You can take them to the Manhattan BOE at 200 Varick Street, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10014 (on or before Primary Election Day June 22 9pm), or drop them off at an Early Voting or Primary Election Day poll site (the poll site must be in NYC – preferably in Manhattan).
June 22 Primary Election.
June 29 Deadline for absentee ballots to be received by the NYC Board of Elections.
June 29 Preliminary RCV round by round elimination Report 1*
*Preliminary RCV elimination rounds will be conducted and reports released every Tuesday until election is certified. Final election results cannot be certified until all ballots are counted. Certification date will be scheduled upon completion of State mandated audit of central ballot scanners used in canvass.
July 6 Preliminary RCV round by round elimination Report 2*
July 9 Last day to receive ballot cures – tentative
July 12 Expected date for release of final election results (tentative). A hand count may be needed, which would extend the date for final results.
July 20 NYC Board of Elections Election Results Summary posted by the NYC Board of Elections vote.nyc/page/election-results-summary
Mayor (Democratic): Eric Adams
Mayor (Republican): Curtis Sliwa
Public Advocate (Democrat): Jumaane Williams
Comptroller (Democrat): Brad Lander
Manhattan Borough President (Democrat): Mark Levine
NYC Council Member, District 2 (Democrat): Carlina Rivera
NYC Council Member, District 5 (Democrat): Julie Menin
New York County (Manhattan) District Attorney (Democrat): Alvin Bragg
On vote.nyc tap Unofficial Election Night Results and you will be redirected to the Primary Election certified results.
October 8 Voter Registration Deadline - General Election
October 23 - 31 Early Voting - General Election
October 26 Absentee ballot request deadline (online or by mail)
November 1 Deadline to request an absentee ballot in person.
November 2 General Election Day, Polls are open 6am - 9pm.
Last day to postmark your absentee ballot or drop it off at a poll site.
November 9 Deadline for Board of Elections to receive absentee ballots
ABOUT THE CANDIDATES / GENERATE A LIST OF CANDIDATES WHO WILL BE ON YOUR BALLOT
Official Voters Guide, Meet the Candidates voting.nyc/meet-the-candidates/2021-races
You will have to enter your address and party affiliation to get the list of candidates that will be on your ballot. The listing of candidates also provides candidate statements and link to the candidate's website.
DEBATES
NYCCFB Official Candidate Debate schedule nyccfb.info/nyc-votes/debates. Many other debates are being presented by other organizations, look for their schedules.
AARP Sponsored Upcoming Candidate Forums
Candidates for Manhattan Borough President
May 19, 2021 5:00 PM
Schneps Media's PoliticsNY.com, amNY Metro and other leading local media outlets
Borough President Manhattan Debate
Register at us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jrwQ0dTFSY2BHosW9kEUBw.
Candidates for New York City Comptroller
June 9, 2021 6:30 PM
Schneps Media's PoliticsNY.com, amNY Metro and other leading local media outlets
Comptroller Citywide Debate
Register at us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_w0EFr-YOSx-2d-cy_KBthA.
The full official debate schedule is on the New York City Campaign Finance Board's website at nyccfb.info/nyc-votes/debates. The debates will be broadcast on NY1, NYC Gov/Channel 25.2 (Channel 74 on Spectrum and Altice, Channel 24 on FiOS, Channel 81 on RCN) and WNBC-TV and WNBC's digital platforms, including nbcnewyork.com, the NBC 4 App as well as on their Apple TV and Roku channels.
USEFUL LINKS
New York City Board of Elections vote.nyc
The NYC BOE validates voter registrations, validates the candidates, prepares the ballots, mails out absentee ballots, manages the polling places, counts the votes, and certifies election results. Absentee ballot request vote.nyc/page/absentee-voting-0.
New York City Campaign Finance Board nyccfb.info
The NYCCFB provides non-partisan information and training for candidates and the public.
NYCCFB Candidate Debate schedule nyccfb.info/nyc-votes/debates
NYCCFB Election calendar nyccfb.info/nyc-votes/election-calendar
NYCCFB information about the candidates and more nyccfb.info/nyc-votes/vgwelcome.
Official Voter Guide voting.nyc/meet-the-candidates/2021-races.
New York State Board of Elections elections.ny.gov
New York State Political Calendar 2021 elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/law/2021PoliticalCalendar.pdf
Check if you are registered to vote vote.nyc/page/am-i-registered. When the ballot is ready, you will be able to generate a sample ballot on the Results page.
Voter Registration Form (mail in form) vote.nyc/sites/default/files/pdf/forms/voterreg/Voter_Registration_2020_English_WEB.pdf
WHEN WILL WE GET FINAL RESULTS FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTION?
Likely not before the week of July 12. This year, due to absentee ballots and Ranked Choice Voting, it may take longer than usual to know final election results. It's also possible that candidates who are leading tonight, after partial 1st-choice results are released, will not ultimately win once all votes have been counted. This is a normal part of the counting process. Every vote deserves to be counted safely and securely. Learn more about the Board of Elections' plan for processing ballots and releasing results.
Election Results timeline
Tonight: The Board of Elections (BOE) will release 1st-choice rankings from early voting and Election Day. These results will not include absentee ballots. They will also release all in-person results from non-Ranked Choice elections.
June 29: The BOE will release full Ranked Choice results for in-person votes. These results will not include absentee ballots.
July 6: The BOE will release full Ranked Choice results for in-person votes and all absentee ballots that have been processed.
The BOE will then release updated results each week until winners have been declared. To find election results, visit the Board of Elections' website.
ARTICLES AND INFORMATION
Individual Contributions to Participating 2021 Candidates nyccfb.info/follow-the-money/cunymap-2021
You can see data by zip code here.
Mayor
What Does The Mayor of New York City Do?
February 2, 2021, gothamist.com, by Brigid Bergin, WNYC
Related: What does New York City’s mayor do?
[Source: City & State's Excelsior email, January 28, 2021]
What does the city’s mayor even do, besides show up at ribbon-cuttings with a pair of absurdly large scissors?..the mayor...is in charge of the city’s various public services, including running the city’s public schools, its police department and providing help to homeless people, just to name a few. The mayor also oversees all city legislation that is introduced or passed by the City Council and can either sign legislation into city law or veto it. And most importantly the mayor is in charge of the city budget – which happens to be the largest municipal budget in the U.S. – and prioritizes what programs are funded...given the current public health crisis, the mayor’s job has become considerably harder over the past year.
June 1, 2021, The City's Meet Your Mayor matching quiz projects.thecity.nyc/meet-your-mayor/ultimate-match.html
Candidates for NYC mayor told The City where they stand on 15 big issues. Now you can pick your positions and see which contenders have positions that align with yours.
Where They Stand: Compare NYC Mayoral Candidates On The Issues
May 27, 2021, gothamgazette.com, by Gotham Gazette
Use the interactive tool to compare the eight leading Democratic candidates for Mayor on a variety of issues. Choose up to three candidates at a time [and] up to five issues at a time. This comparison tool, brought to you by Gotham Gazette and The Daily News, is being regularly updated as the primary unfolds and candidates continue to offer their stances and proposals on major issues facing New Yorkers and the city.
How Will The Next Mayor May Help The City's Arts Sector?
May 21, 2021, gothamist-client.prod.nypr.digital, by Jennifer Vanasco
Democratic Mayoral Candidates Offer Plans for Jobs and Economic Growth
May 20, 2021, gothamgazette.com, by Grace Getman
Where Do Mayoral Candidates Stand On The Future Of Policing?
March 19, 2021, gothamist.com, by Gwynne Hogan, WNYC
Mayoral hopefuls face questions on homelessness from New Yorkers living in shelter
February 4, 2021, politico.com, by Janaki Chadha
Mayoral Candidates on Homelessness
UWS Open Hearts followed up with the 2021 NYC mayoral candidates, asking questions from New Yorkers experiencing homelessness.
Democratic Mayoral Candidates Discuss Taking on Family Homelessness
May 21, 2021, gothamgazette.com, by Ethan Geringer-Sameth
Democratic Mayoral Candidates Offer Ideas for Addressing Food Insecurity
February 10, 2021, gothamgazette.com, by Ethan Geringer-Sameth
Decision NYC: Ray McGuire Discusses His Campaign for Mayor gothamgazette.com/city/10141-decision-nyc-ray-mcguire-runs-nyc-mayor-2021
Decision NYC: Dianne Morales Discusses Her Run for Mayor gothamgazette.com/city/10123-decision-nyc-dianne-morales-runs-nyc-mayor-2021
Decision NYC: Bill Pepitone Discusses His Run for Mayor gothamgazette.com/city/10119-decision-nyc-bill-pepitone-runs-nyc-mayor-2021
Decision NYC: Curtis Sliwa Discusses His Run for Mayor gothamgazette.com/city/10117-decision-nyc-curtis-sliwa-runs-nyc-mayor-2021
Decision NYC: Isaac Wright Jr. Discusses His Run for Mayor gothamgazette.com/city/10120-decision-nyc-isaac-wright-jr-runs-nyc-mayor-2021
Decision NYC: Zach Iscol Discusses His Campaign gothamgazette.com/city/10124-decision-nyc-zach-iscol-campaign-comptroller-2021
WATCH: 30 Minutes with the Candidates for New York City Mayor gothamgazette.com/city/10101-interviews-2021-candidates-new-york-city-mayor-decision-nyc
City Council
What Does A NYC City Council Member Do?
February 3, 2021, gothamist.com, by Cindy Rodriguez
Borough President
What Does A Borough President Actually Do?
February 4, 2021, gothamist.com, by David Cruz
WATCH: 30 Minutes with the Candidates for Manhattan Borough President
by Gotham Gazette
District Attorney
What You Need to Know About New York’s District Attorney Races in 2021
January 31, 2021, thecity.nyc, by Rachel Holliday Smith
The race for Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance’s seat is crowded and fierce. Here’s the rundown on the candidates and more ahead of the June 22 primary.
WATCH: 30 Minutes with the Candidates for Manhattan District Attorney
March 19, 2021, gothamgazette.com
Manhattan DA candidate Dan Quart releases ‘do-not-prosecute’ list
November 11, 2020, nydailynews.com, by Shant Shahrigian
Manhattan D.A. Candidate Explains Why She'll Stop Prosecuting Drug Offenses and Sex Work
February 5, 2021, theappeal.org, by Daniel Nichanian
Tahanie Aboushi discusses her newly expanded proposal to not prosecute offenses that criminalize poverty, mental health issues, and substance use, and to reduce incarceration for all cases.
Comptroller
City Comptroller Candidates Seek to Set Themselves Apart at Brooklyn Democrats' Debate
February 2, 2021, gothamgazette.com, by Samar Khurshid
Recorded event: Candidate Forum: NYC Comptroller Race in 2021
youtube.com/watch?v=AdK-te0SM4Y&feature=youtu.be
Presented by the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce
Public Advocate
The public advocate is first in line to City Hall should the mayor become unable to fulfill the duties of the office.
Who's Running For Public Advocate?
February 22, 2021, gothamist.com, by Afia Eama
What You Need to Know About the Public Advocate Race in 2021
May 3, 2021, thecity.nyc, by Rachel Holliday
What does New York’s public advocate do? And who is challenging current Public Advocate Jumaane Williams?
Amendments to the New York State Constitution
New Yorkers will vote on Green Amendment in November
March 19, 2021, timesunion.com, by Rick Karlin
This November voters will decide whether the state constitution should be amended to include a right to clean air and water, as well as a “healthy environment.”...A Green Amendment codifying environmental rights would be a landmark move that could have sweeping impacts on how New Yorkers deal with pollution issues and on how industry operates going forward. But certain industries fear that having such rights in the constitution might spur lawsuits against air or water polluters that are operating under existing legal emissions permits granted by the state. It also could put municipalities and even state government on the hook for allowing or permitting operations that violate the right to a clean environment and make companies think twice before starting or permitting new projects that could result in air or water pollution...the legislature has not defined what constitutes these rights, leaving it to the courts and endless litigation to determine...
Who Should Attend
All eligible voters.