The midterm elections are coming in November. Because many voters see them as a referendum on the current government, participation is usually high. This year, however, voters may be confused about how they can vote. In five states (Florida, Arizona, New Hampshire, South Dakota, and Utah) voters have had to bring identifying documents to the poll in order to vote.

In New York, citizens who have submitted voter registration forms are considered registered voters and currently may vote on Election Day, during early election days, or as a mail-in voter. The voter’s signature at the polling place or as a mail-in voter certifies their identity.

The Board of Elections mails out a card to each registered voter, usually in late winter, stating the voter’s election district and place of voting. These cards are not forwardable; if you haven’t received one, contact the Board of Elections immediately or check your registration status at the NYS Board of Elections website https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov/. If the voter registers to vote by mail, they will receive a ballot in the mail with directions for returning it. If they return it on time, they will receive a notice after the election stating that their vote was received and was counted.

New York State has had absentee mail-in voting for decades, but originally one needed a reason, such as having a disability that prevented them from coming to the polling place, being a caretaker of a person needing care, being in jail or the military, or otherwise being away from home on Election Day. During Covid, New York removed the need for a reason and opened up mail-in voting for everyone. Registration for a mail-in ballot can be done on the New York State Board of Elections site (https://elections.ny.gov/).

Although the United States Constitution left the management of voting to the states, the current president has proposed many changes to the electoral system, which would have to be passed by Congress to become effective. He proposed that mail-in ballots that arrive after Election Day not be counted. For this reason, we recommend that mail-in voters mail their ballots at least seven days prior to election day or bring the ballot to the post office and ask the postal clerk to hand-stamp the postmark on the envelope.

The president has also proposed that the U.S.P.S. deliver mail-in ballots only to voters living in states that have submitted copies of their voting rolls to the Federal Government.

The proposal that would have the greatest impact on voters is the SAVE Act, which has been passed twice by the House of Representatives in two different versions, but has not yet been passed by the Senate. If passed, it will require that all persons who apply to register to vote submit a birth certificate or passport. It will affect persons applying for the first time, re-registering after moving to a new home, changing their last name, or leaving jail or prison. The Brennan Center estimates that more than 21 million U.S. citizens of voting age do not have ready access to these documents.

Election Day is seen by many as an important American occasion. Voters prepare for it in many ways starting with the NYS Board of Elections at https://elections.ny.gov/, checking the registration and voting deadlines, checking their registration status, deciding whether to vote by mail or on Election Day at their polling place, or at one of the early voting sites listed prior to each election. Voters should also familiarize themselves with voting rules, such as that they do not need to show an ID under most circumstances.

Voters can and should find out which candidates are running, and research their views on candidate websites, by attending candidate debates and meet-and-greets, and visiting the League of Women Voter’s vote411.org website which also gives information about each of the candidates.

All Americans who are citizens may register to vote, and all voters are subject to perjury charges if they vote under false pretenses. The League of Women Voters has always encouraged participating in our democracy. There is no better way than becoming an informed voter and informing your friends and neighbors about the importance of voting.

Nancy Marr is Vice-President of the League of Women Voters of Suffolk County, a nonprofit nonpartisan organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy. For more information visit https://my.lwv.org/new-york/suffolk-county or call 631-862-6860.