Even after the primary election on September 18, you get another chance at democracy in action.
Once the primary races are over and the votes are calculated, the opposing parties and candidates start looking for even more voters on November 6. Kristi Andersen, a political science professor at Syracuse University, explains what happens after the primary:
“It becomes a general election campaign and they’re reaching out to more people, and the primary winner is not only appealing to the members of that party.” [Kristi Andersen]
Danny Hayes, also a political scientist at SU, agrees that the candidates have to broaden their appeal for the general election:
“They also have to try to win over independents, people who don’t have a strong affiliation and maybe even win over votes from people from the other side.” [Danny Hayes]
After the primary, eligible voters can continue registering for the general election. Edward Szczesniak, a commissioner with Onondaga County Board of Elections, says registering to vote is easy:
“They just go online, get a voter registration, and send it to us.” [Commissioner Edward Szczesniak]
The last day to mail in that registration form is October 12. Or voters can go in person to the Board of Elections until October 26.
To vote in the state of New York, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Have lived at your current address for at least 30 days before the election.
- Not be in jail or on parole for a felony.
- And not claim the right to vote anywhere else.
Election Commissioner Szczesniak says voters should do more than just register.
“They should be paying attention to literature that they get mailed to them or what’s happening in the news media.”
A reminder: The general election is on November 6th.
(Amy Aaronson is a junior broadcast journalism major).
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