Green Party New York

Enroll in Green Party

Isn’t it time you enrolled in a political party that has values you can support?

As Green Party 2000 presidential candidate Ralph Nader pointed out, the Democratic and Republican Parties are bought and sold by corporate donors, who set their agendas and control their candidates.

Unlike other political parties, the Green Party has real values that commit Greens to upholding grassroots democracy, non-violence, the environment, and social and economic justice. Green Party principles demand that the community hold the ultimate power — not elected officials or Party leadership. Greens believe that democracy must be participatory, that activism and citizen participation are an integral and indispensable part of the political system.

By enrolling in the Green Party, you will be able to vote in Green primaries (when and where applicable) and for Green Party officers. Your voice will count in directing the development of the Green Party of New York State. You will also be sending a clear message to the major parties and their corporate sponsors that you value your vote and do not accept their vision of electoral politics. The more enrolled Greens there are in New York State, the more Democratic and Republican legislators, candidates and officers will be forced to acknowledge and respond to the Green position on issues and to show Green candidates the respect they deserve.

Thousands of New Yorkers concerned about grassroots democracy, economic and social justice, non-violence/peace, and an ecologically sustainable environment have joined the Green Party in the last year alone. Join them!

How to Register to Vote

You can register to vote either by mail or in person. While you cannot register to vote on-line, you can use this online tool to fill and print out your registration form to mail to the Board of Elections (the address is on the form).

By Mail

You will need a voter registration form, which you can download from the NYS Board of Elections. Complete the form and mail it to your (see County Board of Elections) or you can find a form at most municipal halls, libraries, and post offices.

To register as a Green Party enrollee, either check the box that says “Green” or go to the line that says “Other” and write-in “Green” or “Green Party.” This will depend on when the forms were printed. Forms may be mailed or brought in person to your county Board of Elections

Your party enrollment only goes into effect immediately if you are registering as a new voter in your county (or within NYC) – either because you just moved there or are registering for the first time. Changes of Address also go into effect right away. However, if you are already registered to vote in the County (or NYC) and are changing your enrollment (say from Democrat to Green) your enrollment change will not go into effect until after the general election in November. Moreover, if you change your enrollment after the October 12 registration deadline, you will not be actually enrolled in the Green Party until after the November election of the following year! See official Board deadlines.

You must fill out the voter registration completely, or your registration may not be processed. This includes checking the yes check box for the “Are you a US Citizen” questions and making sure to check off one (or more) of the answer boxes regarding whether you are a first time voter, change of address, party enrollment, or name change. Be sure to choose a party, sign and date the form, etc.

The Board of Elections has been known to misplace voter registration forms. It is safest to bring in the voter registration card to the Board. In any event, you should check to make sure your form has been processed by contacting the Board a few days after submitting the form.

Who May Register to Vote

To register to vote in New York State You Must:

Be a U.S. citizen
Be 18 years old by December 31 of the year in which you file this form (note: you must be 18 years old by the date of the general, primary or other election in which you want to vote)
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

Voting by Absentee Ballot

You may vote by absentee ballot if you will be:

Unavoidably absent from your county on Election Day
Unable to appear at the polls due to illness or disability
A patient in a Veterans Administration Hospital
Detained in jail awaiting Grand Jury action or confined in prison after conviction for an offense other than a felony

To vote by absentee ballot, you must complete an application form and the ballot and return these to the Board of Elections.
You can apply for a ballot either by mail or in person.

Please be sure to note the deadlines for returning the application form and ballot to the Board, below.

By Mail

You can get an application form by calling your County Board of Elections and requesting one ( County Boards of Election)
or by downloading one from the Board web site.

Mail the application back to the County Board. You will receive a
ballot in the mail which you must also complete and return.