General Election

All voters choose among the parties’ candidates for elected offices of mayor, comptroller, public advocate, borough presidents, council members, district attorneys, and judges – and vote on ballot questions.

At the general election, registered voters (of any or no political party) vote for two types of items: candidates for elected office, and ballot questions (when proposed).

• Candidates for elected office appearing on the general election had to successfully petition to get on the ballot, and:
  • If they are in a “major party”, they either were the winners in their party primaries, or faced no competition but still had to declare their party affiliation in time for the primaries.
  • They may also be from other parties, and may have created those parties during the onset of their candidacy (look out for some of those party names – always fascinating!).
• Ballot questions, or referenda, are put on the ballot when the government wants the people to weigh in on changes to the law.

Today is the Last Day to . . .

• postmark ballot for general election
• deliver absentee ballot in person to Board of Elections