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.

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
  • Molasses: Chicago-based collective creating space & platforms exclusively for Black & Brown trans people
four people sit on stools on a stage talking

The Center x Native Son x Gilead Present Black, Queer, & Here: A 2024 Election Community Forum

With the 2024 election on the horizon, the stakes are high for the LGBTQ+ community in New York and across the country. The Center partnered with Native Son and Gilead for a lively, open community discussion about the issues on the ballot in November.

Election Resources

November 5 – General Election

Let’s embrace the power of our vote on November 5! 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.

FAQs

Voting in the General Election

Preview your Ballot

There’s a lot on the ballot—it can be overwhelming! This feature allows you to see the offices and proposals that will appear on your specific ballot, so that you know in advance exactly what you’ll be able to vote on this year.

Ranked choice voting allows New York City voters to rank candidates by preference instead of choosing just one. It works like this:

  • 1st choice: The candidate you love
  • 2nd choice: The candidate you like
  • 3rd or 4th choice: The candidate you like slightly less
  • 5th choice: The candidate you can stand
  • Even if your favorite candidate doesn’t win, you still have a voice, and determine who’s elected.
  • You can vote your conscience without worrying that you’re wasting your vote or electing a candidate you don’t like.
  • Ranking a 2nd, 3rd, etc. choice will never impact your favorite candidate.

No. When the ballot scanner reads multiple candidates ranked the same, it will not count your ballot.

Contact your local NYC board of elections at 1-866-Vote-NYC (1-866-868-3693) and they will be happy to help, or get you a replacement ballot, if needed.

To learn more, visit Rank The Vote NYC.

You can find your district, voter registration information, polling location, and more by visiting voterlookup.elections.ny.gov

All registered voters can participate in early voting, which starts 10 days before Election Day. There are several benefits to voting early, including shorter wait times and less crowding at your polling site. The early voting period for the primary election is October 26-November 5. Find your early voting polling location.

When your ballot arrives, read it carefully and follow the instructions to complete it and return it. You should fill out and return your ballot as soon as possible. All ballots must be postmarked by November 5.

General Voting Questions

To register to vote, you have to be:

  • A citizen of the United States (born in the U.S. or naturalized). That includes people who were born in Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
  • A resident of New York State for at least 30 days before the election.
  • At least 18 years old by Election Day (that includes if you turn 18 on Election Day!)
  • Not in prison for a felony conviction.

Absentee voting allows you to vote by mail rather than going to the polls and casting your vote in person. All states allow people to cast their votes via mail-in or absentee ballots. Some, like New York, require voters to give a reason before allowing them to vote by mail.

You can vote by absentee ballot if you are a registered voter and cannot make it to your polling site on Election Day because of your:

  • Occupation
  • Business
  • Studies
  • Travel
  • Incarceration (other than convicted felony), or
  • Illness, disability, hospitalization, or residence in a long-term care facility

You can find your district, voter registration information, polling location, and more by visiting voterlookup.elections.ny.gov.

Volunteer with The Center’s RiseOut Action Team to join our Get Out The Vote efforts, as we work to provide accurate voting information and underscore the importance of elections for our community.

Fill out the pledge form above and keep an eye out for email alerts about ballot deadlines, election dates, and other information on civic engagement. We’ll make sure you have the information you need so that you never miss an opportunity to be heard!

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.