Put DEMOCRACY in action! - Download this flyer that shows organizations how to conduct a VOTER MOBILIZATION campaign

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT VOTING

Deadlines for Voter Registration and Absentee Ballots, 2006 Election

EIGHT DO'S AND DON'TS FOR NON-PROFITS IN AN ELECTION YEAR

Voter Registration Project for NonProfits

http://www.elections.state.ny.us

Board of Elections: 1(800)FOR-VOTE,
OR in NYC (212) 487-5300

NYC League of Women Voters:
(212) 674-8484

...ISSUES & CANDIDATES

Hunger Action Network of New York State
(518) 434-7371, (212) 741-8192

Project VoteSmart: 1(800) 622-SMART

Call the offices of the candidates in your district

WHO CAN REGISTER?
Any U.S. citizen can register. You must be 18 years of age or older by election day.

HOW DO I REGISTER?
Fill out a voter registration form and send it to your county's board of elections. You will get a voter identification card in the mail which will tell you where you go to vote.

DO I NEED A HOME TO REGISTER?
No. You do need a mailing address. This can be a shelter, church, or a post office--a place where you can pick up mail.

WHEN DO I HAVE TO REGISTER?
To register for the general election which takes place on November 3, 1998 you must postmark your registration form by October 9, 1998 or the Board of Elections must receive it in their office on October 14, 1998.

WHERE CAN I REGISTER?
You can register at your local Board of Elections or call them and ask that a voter registration form be mailed to you to fill out and mail back. Other places to find voter registration forms are public libraries, Department of Social Services (HRA) offices, the Department of Motor Vehicles, and other municipal buildings.

WHERE DO I VOTE?
You will get a card in the mail that will tell you where to vote. If you have any questions, you can call the Board of Elections listed on the back of this pamphlet.

TIPS FOR AGENCY VOTER REGISTRATION AND MOBILIZATION
It is most effective to incorporate voter registration into your
day-to-day programming. Offer voter registration during the intake or application process. Voter registration cards set out in waiting rooms all too often just sit there unused. However, when guests are asked to register by someone they trust, such as an agency worker, there is a greater likelihood that they will register to vote. Follow these steps:

1. Appoint one permanent staff member to oversee voter registration activities.
2. Agency intake forms and procedures should include the question, "If you are not registered to vote where you now live, would you like to register here today?"
3. Always offer to help guests in completing the voter registration form. Check to be sure that the application is properly filled out, and offer to mail it to the elections office.
4. Maintain a record of the people who register to vote at your agency. Use this record as a resource to Get Out The Vote(GOTV) on Election Day.
5. Before Election Day, make sure your guests know where their polling place is located. Arrange for rides to the polls for your guests. On Election Day, remind your guests to vote.

While non-profit health and human service agencies can offer voter registration, it must be non-partisan. That is, non-profits cannot endorse a particular candidate or political party. However, you can collect information from the candidates and political groups about their stand on issues and make that available to the public. You can also choose to organize a legislative forum for local candidates to speak on current issues. Hunger Action can help any program interested in organizing a forum. Call us at 518/434-7371(Albany) or 212/741-8192 (NYC) for more information.