Voter Registration

You have the right to make your voice heard!

OCC values the importance of voting and the impact it has on our democracy.

The first step is to register to vote and you must: 

• Be a U. S. citizen.
• Be 18 years old by the date of the primary, general or other election.
• Live at your present address at least 30 days before an election.
• Not be in jail or on parole for a felony conviction and
• Not claim the right to vote elsewhere.

Once you are registered, we are committed to helping you become an engaged and informed voter.

Voter Registration Forms

There are a number of ways you can obtain a form to register. New York State Voter Registration Forms are available in the Student Orientation, Leadership and Engagement Office in Gordon 114, as well as most state agency offices, post offices, any county Board of Elections. 

You may use the following links to download and print a form (English or Spanish) which you will then mail to the Board of Elections for the county you are registering for.

• https://elections.ny.gov/voter-registration-process 

You may also register to vote online through the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.

You have a choice about the address you use for voter registration. You can register at your permanent address or at the on-campus or off-campus address where you will be living while you attend OCC. Students who register at their permanent address will need to either return home to vote or vote by absentee ballot.

If you are registering at an address in New York State outside of Onondaga County, you can find the address for that county on the Board of Elections website. 

You can change your registration at any time by filling out a new voter registration form, but there are important deadlines that must be followed. You may only be registered and vote in one location at a time. When you submit a new form, the previous registration information will no longer be valid.

For general information about the voting process, political calendar, and other important information, contact the Onondaga County Board of Elections: http://www.ongov.net/elections/ or https://www.elections.ny.gov/votingregister.html 

Voting

All registered voters should plan to vote on Election Day. Not sure where to go to vote? Find your polling place.

If you know you will not be able to get to your polling place on Election Day, you can file an application for an absentee ballot. The application for an absentee ballot must be postmarked seven days prior to Election Day, but you should allow more time if possible to ensure the ballot gets to you on time. You will receive your ballot in the mail to complete and be postmarked to the Board of Elections by the day before Election Day. Should you need to request an absentee ballot, use the following link:

• https://elections.ny.gov/request-ballot 

Contact Info