Voting in New York

At The Center, we believe that voting is a fundamental tool for equality and change. Whether you're in New York City or upstate, LGBTQ+ New Yorkers deserve access to fair, inclusive, and barrier-free elections.

close up image of a person wearing a your voice your vote t-shirt their arm is in front of their chest and they are wearing a Vote NYC bracelet

What’s on the Ballot?

 

Here are the offices up for election:

 

  • Mayor: Runs the city’s government, sets priorities, and oversees services like housing, policing, and schools.
  • City Comptroller: Acts as the city’s chief financial officer, manages budgets, audits, and pensions.
  • Public Advocate: Serves as a watchdog for New Yorkers, investigating complaints and amplifying community concerns.
  • Borough President: Represents their borough, advises on land use, and advocates for local community needs.
  • City Council: Passes local laws, approves budgets, and represents neighborhoods across the five boroughs.
  • And more!
  • Make sure to vote on both sides of your ballot!

Our Moment, Our City

The 2025 LGBTQ+ Voter Guide For NYC's Future was created to empower every LGBTQ+ New Yorker to use their voice in the upcoming city & state elections. By staying informed and making a plan you can help ensure New York remains inclusive and responsive to our community's needs.

Download Your Voter Guide
Carla Smith

As we approach the upcoming election in our city, I want to take a moment to remind our community of the power and responsibility we hold when we cast our ballots. At a time when LGBTQ+ rights are being challenged across the country, voting is one important tool in our toolkit for ensuring that we safeguard our hard-fought protections and ensure that New York City continues to be a safe place for all of us to live, work, and to simply be.

By showing up at the polls, we help to shape the leadership that will make the decisions that impact our daily lives: from access to healthcare and housing, to the safety of our public spaces, to the future of protecting our young people from harassment and discrimination in our public schools. Our voices matter, and together, we can ensure that New York City – the birthplace of the modern queer-rights movement – remains a place where LGBTQ+ people are valued, protected, and celebrated.

I encourage you to make a plan to vote, remind your friends and loved ones to do the same, and let’s continue fighting the future our community deserves.

A word from Dr. Carla Smith, CEO of The Center

Why are local elections important?

Local elections directly impact our daily lives, making decisions about public safety, schools, and where local tax dollars should be spent. 

Studies show that local elections get less attention compared to our federal elections.

The Numbers:

  • Eligible young voters typically participate at lower rates. During the 2024 Presidential Election, youth voter turnout among 18- and 19-year-olds was 41% (Medina and Hilton, 2025).
  • In New York City alone, voter turnout for age groups 18 to 29 in 2024 were 3.7% during the April primary, 5.0% during the June primary, and 57.1% during the November general election (NYCCFB, 2025).
  • During the 2023 City Council Election, only 12.8% of voters took part in the election, despite having a high voter registration rate. Turnout was lowest among youth aged 18 to 29 (6.1%) and voters in the Bronx (9.3%) (NYCCFB, 2024).

Ready to Vote?

Visit elections.ny.gov and register today!

Important Dates to Remember:

  • October 25: Last day to apply online or by mail for a mail ballot
  • November 3: Last day to apply in-person for a mail ballot at your local board of elections
  • October 25-November 2: Early Voting Period
  • November 4: Election Day

To qualify for voter registration in NYS, you must:

  • Be a United States citizen
  • Be 18 years old
  • Be a resident of NY and the county, city, or village for ≥ 30 days before the election
  • Not claim the right to vote elsewhere
  • Not be adjudged mentally incompetent by a court
  • Not be currently incarcerated for a felony conviction*

*As of May 2021, all NYers who are incarcerated after a felony conviction had their voting rights immediately and automatically restored upon release, whether or not they are on parole.

Vladimir Martinez

As someone who works every day at the intersection of policy and community, I see firsthand how decisions made by our elected officials impact LGBTQ+ New Yorkers. From funding for our community centers, to laws that protect transgender and gender nonconforming people, to ensuring safe housing and healthcare access, what happens at the ballot box shapes the resources and protections our community depends on.

We know the climate around LGBTQ+ continues to become hostile, now more than ever. We know our rights are being challenged across the country. Here in New York City, we cannot take our sanctuary for granted. The best way to defend and strengthen what we’ve built is to vote, and to encourage our friends, families, and networks to do the same.

Your vote is your voice, and together we can send a clear message that LGBTQ+ rights are not negotiable. Make your plan, show up, and help keep New York a place where we can all live openly, safely, and with pride.

A word from Vladimir Martinez, Managing Director of Government and Community Affairs

Election Resources

Tuesday, November 4 – General Election

Let’s embrace the power of our vote on November 4! It’s our opportunity to shape the world we want to live in, where our rights are protected, our voices heard, and our identities celebrated.

  • Election Protection: Voter intimidation is illegal. If you experience or witness any form of intimidation at the polls, remain calm and report the incident immediately to an election official or call the Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).
  • NYCvotes.org: Your hub for voting and election facts and updates in New York. Understand why, how, when, and where to vote and see what’s on the ballot.
  • Voting Guide for queer New Yorkers: This resource was created through a collaborative effort involving the NEW Pride Agenda, WAVE Women Inc., New York Transgender Advocacy Group (NYTAG), Next Generation Men of Transition, and individual community advocates Ace Sutherland, social group facilitator at The Center, and Shain Flicher.
  • Find your polling place: Make sure you know where to vote!
  • Make your voting plan: When We All Vote is a leading national, nonpartisan initiative on a mission to change the culture around voting and to increase participation in each and every election by helping to close the race and age gap
  • Voting While Trans: Know what to do in case your right to vote is challenged.

Taking Care of Yourself During Election Season

During election season, it’s especially important to prioritize self-care to stay grounded and resilient amid the intensity—protecting your mental health helps strengthen not only yourself but also our entire LGBTQ+ community.

  • Find a social group: The Center’s social groups are safe and welcoming spaces to be in community with other LGBTQ+ people.
  • Upcoming youth groups: LGBTQ+ always have a safe space at The Center. Check out our upcoming groups.
  • Get or stay sober: The Center’s outpatient substance use treatment program is the only New York State licensed outpatient program specifically designed for the LGBTQ+ community. Also, check out our calendar to find upcoming AA and NA groups.
  • Get mental health counseling at The Center: Contact our front desk at 212.620.7310 for more information or email [email protected]
  • Trans Lifeline: 1.877.565.8860 (includes hotlines that avoid involving the police, crisis support guides, peer support orgs, provider support, etc.)
  • Project LETS: text or call 401.400.2905 (offers crisis support for yourself and loved ones)

Mutual Aid Funds:

Here are just a few organizations providing aid for Black and trans people in our community.

  • For The Gworls: raising money to help Black, trans people pay for rent and gender-affirming surgeries
  • G.L.I.T.S: Black trans-led advocacy and direct services organization dedicated to fighting systemic discrimination against marginalized communities
  • The Okra Project: provides mutual aid and mental health resources to the Black trans community.
  • The Marsha P. Johnson Institute: protects and defends the human rights of Black transgender people

Donate to support The Center

Your support makes it possible for us to continue providing vital resources, safe spaces, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ New Yorkers. Please consider making a donation to help us uplift and empower our community.

Donate today

Keep it Non-Partisan

The Center is a 501(c)(3) organization, which means we can’t endorse any one party or candidate. That means when you do Get Out the Vote with The Center, it’s important to keep it non-partisan.

Encourage people to research the candidates and the political parties in New York State (there are eight of them!) on their own before making decisions. 

  • Don’t suggest which party to register with.
  • Don’t suggest which candidate to vote for.
  • Don’t talk about party stances or the parties that politicians belong to.