Voting FAQ

Prospective Student Registrants FAQ

Q. I won’t be 18 until later this year. When can I register?
A. You can fill out and submit a voter registration form if you turn 18 by Dec. 31. You can only vote, however, if you are 18 on the day of the vote. Several weeks after you register, or after your 18th birthday, you should receive a card in the mail from the Board of Elections telling you where and when you can vote.

Q. Do I need any identification in order to vote on Election Day?
A. Newly registered voters should bring an ID to the polls but, if you've voted in a previous election, you shouldn't need one. Most voters who have voted in a previous election will not have to show any identification or proof of citizenship to vote. The voter ID card you may have received in the mail is intended to help you locate your polling site, but it is not required to vote. As a voter, all you will have to do is sign your name in the poll site book. However, voters registering for the first time in their present county/NYC, may be asked to show ID at the polls in order to vote on a machine if they did not include their license (or non driver ID) number or the last four digits of their social security number on their registration form, or if their license/ID number/social security number couldn't be verified with the State's database.

So new voters should make sure they bring ID with them to the polls. But, even if you are asked to produce ID and that ID is rejected by poll workers, it is still your right to vote by paper/affidavit ballot. If you are asked to show ID, all that is required is a "current and valid photo identification" with your name and picture such as a drivers license or college ID. Government documents and utility bills or bank statements with your name and address are also acceptable forms of ID. With changes in voter laws in many states, it is better to be safe than sorry. You can contact your local Board of Elections for identification requirements or visit http://www.vote.org to find out the rules for your state.

Q. Where do I vote?
A. You should receive a card from the Board of Elections telling you where your polling site is. If you don’t, voters within New York City can call toll free (866) VOTE-NYC or 311, and others can call their local Board of Elections.

Q.  I am registered to vote in another county (or state), but I need an absentee ballot. What should I do?
A. All you have to do is complete another voter registration form. This time, however, you will check the box indicating that you want an absentee ballot. Assuming that you will be in school during Election Day, use your complete university address as your mailing address in order to receive your ballot.

Q. Okay. I’ve received my absentee ballot. After I complete it, can I return it to any Board of Elections?
A. No. When you request an absentee ballot from a particular county, your absentee ballot must be returned to that county. Your absentee ballot will have a return address for your convenience. Be aware, however, that you should return your ballot as soon as possible to be counted in the election results.

Q. I am registered to vote in another county (or state), but I am now a resident of New York City (or New York State). What should I do?
A. If you are registering online (i.e., Vote.org), just fill out another voter registration form with your new address. If you are using a NYS registration form, answer Question 12 to indicate an address change. Place your previous address in Question 12 and your new address in Question 8. On the federal form (Box B), you must fill in your previous address to indicate an address change. Remember: As long as you do not vote in the elections of your original county AND that of your new resident county, you will be okay.

Q. I am not really sure what issues are important to the candidates. Do I have to register with a particular party?
A No. There is an option that allows the choice of not registering with a political party. Registration for a specific party really is only important for primary elections since only a registered Republican can vote in a Republican primary. The same holds true for all political parties. In the general elections, party affiliation is not as important. If you need more information about a particular candidate or party, please feel free to visit nonpartisan voter information sites such as  Vote Smart ,  Vote 411 , and Ballot Ready for more information on candidates, including their biographies, voting records, positions on issues, and contributions to their campaigns. Fordham student organizations such as the College Democrats and the College Republicans are also very helpful.

Q. I am already registered to vote but I lived on campus last year and moved off-campus this year. What should I do?
A. If you are registering online (i.e., Vote.org), just fill out another voter registration form with your new address. If you are using a NYS registration form, answer Question 12 to indicate an address change. Place your previous address in Question 12 and your new address in Question 8. On the federal form (Box B), you must fill in your previous address to indicate an address change.

Q. I am registered to vote but would like to change my political party. What should I do?
A. If you are registering online (i.e., Vote.org), just fill out another voter registration form and select the party of your choice. You may also choose to not enroll in a party at this time.

Q. The voter registration form says not to use a P.O. Box number when providing the address for where I live. Since Fordham uses P.O. Box numbers, what should I do?
A. There is a distinction between where you live and where your mail is sent. If you wish to participate in the elections of your home county (your permanent home residence), then you should list your home address (where your tuition bill goes) as your permanent address and your Fordham address as your mailing address. If you determine that you would prefer to participate in the local elections then you use the University’s formal address, including your suite or room number.

For Rose Hill, the official University address is:
441 E. Fordham Road, ______________ Hall, Suite/Room ______, Bronx, New York 10458

For Lincoln Center, the official University address is:
113 West 60th Street, McMahon Hall, Suite/Room ______, New York, New York, 10023

Q. If I register, am I registered forever?
A. The details are a bit confusing. No matter where you live, you should re-register if you move, change your name, or change political parties. To make sure you get to vote on a machine on Election Day, play it safe – fill out a new form. Current federal and state laws prohibit registered voters from being removed from the rolls for simply choosing not to vote. However, if you haven’t voted in a long time or if you haven’t received any recent mail from the Board of Elections, you should probably fill out a new form.

Q. I wasn’t born in the USA. Can I still register to vote?
A. Any citizen of the United States can register to vote. You are a citizen if you were born in USA (including Washington DC, Guam, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands). You can also become a citizen through the naturalization process. Holders of green cards are not eligible to vote.

Q. If I vote in a party’s primary election, do I have to vote for that party in the general election? A. No. In the general election, (no matter what party you chose to enroll in) you have the right to vote for the candidate of any party -- or even to write in your own candidate.