In New York State, the primary election has been set for June 23, 2026. And although it’s only February, a crucial date ahead of the primary is fast approaching: the deadline for changing your political party.
What’s the deadline to change political party?
Considering changing political parties? The deadline to apply to change your party enrollment to participate in primary elections this year is Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
Your application must be received by the New York State Board of Elections no later than Feb. 14, which means you may need to make adjustments via the online registration portal or by mail ahead of the Feb. 14 deadline.
People interested in changing their party enrollment may hand deliver their application directly to their county board of elections through Feb. 14.
How to register to vote or make changes to your voter registration
Those interested in making changes to their voter registration, or who may be looking to register to vote for the first time, may do so online using the New York State Board of Elections registration portal. You may also register or make changes by mail or in person.
According to the Board of Elections, a resident must meet the following criteria to register to vote in New York:
Registration by mail must be received by the Board of Elections by or before June 13, 2026 to be eligible to vote in the primary this year.
In-person registration must be received on a business day before June 13, 2026 in order to vote in the primary. (Friday, June 12 is the last business day before the June 13 deadline.) In-person registration can be completed at your county board of elections, or any state agency “participating in the National Voter Registration Act,” the New York Board of Elections says.
Other changes, like a name change or change of address, can also be completed online using the registration portal, or by mail or in person using the voter registration form. Such changes must be received at your county board of elections at least 15 days prior to the June primary so that the changes can be processed in time.
You can find out your county board of elections information using the County Board Roster online at publicreporting.elections.ny.gov/CountyBoardRoster/CountyBoardRoster.
For more information on making changes to your voter registration, check out the New York State Board of Elections website online at elections.ny.gov.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Important dates to know for the upcoming New York primary
Reporting by Samantha Antrum, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
