NYC Votes! is partnering with the Department of Homeless Services in a voter registration initiative this week to ensure all eligible New York City shelter residents have the opportunity to vote on Election Day, November 6. Homeless Services will provide voting assistance at 230 facilities citywide every day until the 2012 voter registration deadline on Friday, October 12.
"Homeless Services provides vital services to thousands of New Yorkers and we are so pleased that they are joining us to provide information about voting to their clients," said Onida Coward Mayers, Director of Voter Assistance of the New York City Campaign Finance Board. "Our elections are for all of us and it is important that all New Yorkers take advantage of the opportunity to participate on November 6th."
"Being part of our election process is a privilege and an important responsibility," said Homeless Services Commissioner Seth Diamond. "We want to ensure that even while living in temporary, emergency shelter, families and individuals are appropriately registered at their current address in order to cast their ballot on Election Day and make a difference in the processes of our country."
The Homeless Services initiative will ensure an important population has the opportunity to cast a ballot. This program is a part of the NYC Votes! campaign to hold 1,000 voter registration drives with our partners across New York City between September 25th (National Voter Registration Day) and October 12th.
New Yorkers who have a driver's license or other ID issued by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles can now register to vote online here. Forms to register by U.S. mail are available here. Voters can find their poll site by entering their address here.
NYC Votes! is the non-partisan voter engagement campaign of the New York City Campaign Finance Board (CFB) and its Voter Assistance Advisory Committee (VAAC). In addition to promoting voter registration, participation, and civic engagement in New York City through its many programs and partnerships, NYC Votes! sponsors the city’s official Debate Program and produces the citywide Voter Guide.