Political Parties

A primary election is how political parties choose their nominees for the general election in November. Voters select the candidates who will represent a party on the general election ballot for offices such as mayor, state legislature, Congress, and president. 

For example if candidate A and candidate B want to represent the Republican Party for President, the party members must decide which candidate they want to represent their party. The winner of that election will then run against the other parties candidates in the general election.

New York State has a closed primary system. This means that only voters who are enrolled in a political party may vote in that party’s primary. If you are not enrolled in a party, you cannot vote in a primary unless you take action before the February 14 deadline.

You can vote in a primary if you:

• Are a registered voter in New York State, and

• Are enrolled in one of the four recognized political parties holding a primary election

You may only vote in the primary of the party in which you are enrolled. In other words, only Democrats can vote in Democratic primaries, only Republicans can vote in Republican primaries.

Voters who did not enroll in one of the four recognized NYS political parties when they registered cannot vote in party primaries in New York unless they enroll in one of those parties by February 14.

February 14 is the last day to:

• Enroll in a political party for the first time, or

• Change your party affiliation in order to vote in the June primary election.

If you miss this deadline, you will not be able to vote in the primary and your party choice will not take effect until after the primary.

You can:

• Go to the League of Women Voter’s VOTE411.org to check your registration status

Check your voter registration and party enrollment online through the New York State Board of Elections Online Voter Registration Portal

To change your party enrollment, you must submit a new voter registration form:

• Online using the NY State Board of Elections Online Voter Registration Portal 

• Online using the DMV's Electronic Voter Registration Application (by February 13). Registrations submitted to the DMV are received by the Board of Elections the following day, meaning enrollment changes filed with the DMV must be submitted on February 13 or earlier to meet the deadline

• Online using the voter registration form to change your party enrollment from one party to another or to enroll for the first time in a party.

•  In person at your local Board of Elections office

• By Mail

New York State law requires party enrollment changes to be made well in advance of primary elections. This is part of how the state administers closed primaries, but it often catches voters by surprise.

In many parts of New York State, the primary election effectively decides the winner. When one party dominates a district, the candidate who wins that party’s primary is very likely to win the general election in November. That means primaries often determine who will represent you in government.

If you skip primaries, you may miss the election where the real choice is made. Voting in primaries gives you a voice earlier in the process, when voters are deciding who will be on the ballot in November.

No. A party only holds a primary for a specific office if more than one candidate is seeking that party’s nomination. If you are enrolled as a member of that party, you may vote in its primary if a primary does occur. Your party affiliation will be part of your voter registration record so you don’t have to enroll every year. However, if you wish to change your party affiliation, you must do so by the February 14 deadline in order to vote in that party’s primary in that election year.