Addabbo: Be sure you are registered to vote in the upcoming June primary election, and know how to use Ranked Choice Voting

With the June primary coming up in NYC, State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. wants to remind everyone that there is still time to register to vote, and that this year’s voting will be different with Ranked Choice Voting being implemented in the city for the first time.

On Tuesday, June 22, voters will get to decide which candidates will make it to the general election for the positions of Mayor, City Council, Borough President, Public Advocate, and Comptroller. Residents of Manhattan will get to vote on the Manhattan District Attorney position as well.

During the primary, New Yorkers will only be able to vote for candidates running as members of the party to which they are registered, meaning Democratic voters vote for Democratic candidates and Republican voters can only vote for Republican candidates. The winners of the primaries will face off in the general election.

“Primary elections are extremely important as they decide which candidates everyone will get to vote on in the upcoming general election,” Addabbo said. “It is important that every New Yorker make their voice heard in all elections, so I am encouraging everyone to register to vote if they aren’t already, and to research all the candidates to make an informed vote.”

Friday, May 28 is the deadline to register to vote in the June primary election. Voters have three ways to register to vote for the upcoming primary election:

• Voters can still fill out a traditional paper voter registration form. You can download and print a voter registration form here: https://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/download/voting/voteregform-eng-fillable.pdf;
• Voters with a driver’s license or New York State ID may utilize the DMV’s online voter registration system here: https://dmv.ny.gov/more-info/electronic-voter-registration-application; and
• Lastly, voters unable to use the DMV’s online voter registration system can use Turbovote to register here: www.nycvotes.turbovote.org.
   

Here are other important dates to keep in mind as we head towards the June 22 primary:

• Early voting starts: 6/12;
• Deadline to request an absentee ballot: 6/15; and
• Last day to postmark an absentee ballot: 6/22.
   

This primary election will also be the first time New York City has implemented Ranked Choice Voting. This means voters will get rank up to five candidates in order of preference instead of choosing just one. Ranked Choice Voting will only be used during primary and special elections for city offices.

The way Ranked Choice Voting works is that all first choice votes are counted, and if a candidate wins more than 50% of votes, they win. However, if none of the candidates earns more than 50% of the first choice votes, then counting will continue in rounds. In each round, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated. If your highest-ranked candidate is eliminated, your vote goes to the next highest ranked candidate on your ballot. This process continues until there are only two candidates left. The candidate with the most votes wins.

“Should you decide to use Ranked Choice Voting, it is one way for you to have more of a say in who wins a primary or special election because even if your top choice doesn’t win, your ranking of candidates can help choose who does win,” Addabbo explained. “It helps to expand the democratic process and ensure that more voices are heard and a more diverse group of candidates have a chance to win. Measures have been taken legislatively in the state government to credibly increase participation in our elections, while simultaneously protecting the integrity and validity of the voting process. Be sure to make your voice heard. ”

To learn more about Ranked Choice Voting, visit: https://www.voting.nyc/how-to-vote/ranked-choice-voting/.