Primaries deadline Aug. 16, New Yorkers may register online to vote

The deadline for New Yorkers to register to vote in the upcoming September primary elections is Aug. 16.

More than 200,000 New Yorkers have used the state’s new online MyDMV, and automated systems to register, or update, their voter registration since its launch last year, according to a release from the governor’s office.

The new online registration initiative was announced last August and marked the first time that New Yorkers were able to apply to complete the voter registration process online. Since the program began, 73,210 individuals have registered online — 25,344 of which were first-time voters. An additional 164,091 have registered, or updated their voter information, using electronic devices in DMV offices. Of them, 59,710 were first time registrants.

In order to apply to register to vote online at http://dmv.ny.gov/, a person must have a valid New York State license or identification card and establish a MyDMV account. MyDMV requires users to create a secure online account that is validated through the verification of personal information, such as date of birth, social security number, address and license document number.

More information on the Governor’s efforts to increase access to the voter registration process can be found here: http://www.governor.ny.gov/press/08162012-voter-registration-reform. Additional information specifically on online registrations is available here: http://www.governor.ny.gov/press/08272012online-voter-registration.

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