Voter Registration & Participation

Arrange Voter Registration through the Library:

Determine which active patrons are registered and which are not by comparing a patron list to a registered voter list from the Board of Elections.
Create a voter registration display in your library, complete with voter registration forms, to encourage non-registered patrons to register . Offer to mail forms to ensure that they are sent timely. [Note: Registration should take place about 30 days prior to an election to avoid missing any deadlines.] The following logos are available to assist with your display:
- Register to vote @ your library logo
- Check box logo
Place the NYS Online Voter Registration form on your website and encourage patrons to register.
Routinize voter registration for adult patrons obtaining a library card.
Email the NYS Online Voter Registration form to non-registered patrons asking them to register to vote.
Obtain an absentee voter list from the Board of Elections and send ballots to active patrons and other individuals likely to be supportive. Absentee ballots can also be requested online.
If you have a Friends Group, get their list of donors and call or write them a letter asking them to vote on the upcoming proposal. Supply voter registration forms and request that they register if they have not already. [Note: This group is likely to include folks who are not regular library users, but still support the library as a community institution. Since these individuals have supported the library financially in the past, they are likely to provide additional "yes" votes if activated.]

Hold a Voter Registration Drive:

Enlist a few Friends of the Library or other volunteers to oversee a voter registration table at the library. Volunteers must make sure that the entire form is complete to fully register each individual.
Obtain voter registration forms from your local Board of Elections. Ask them if they have display boxes, signs, or other materials available to help advertise your drive.
If creating your own materials to advertise, consider using the following logos:
- Register to vote @ your library logo
- Check box logo
At the end of the drive, compile all registration forms into one envelope and mail or drop them off at your local Board of Elections.
Contact the Board of Elections with specific questions you may have about holding the drive.