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Everyone 18 years of age or older who was born in the United States or is a naturalized citizen is eligible to vote, subject to additional state laws. Voting is one of the activities of citizenship, and it gives us a voice in how we are governed. The books, Web links, and other resources listed below explain the voting process and how you can get registered to vote.
General information:
* U.S. senators are elected for six-year terms (in New York State, Hillary Clinton was reelected in 2006 and Charles Schumer was reelected in 2004), while each representative seat in the House must stand for election every two years in the even numbered years.
* In New York State, the State Constitutional Officers – including the Governor (together with the Lt. Governor), the Attorney General and the Comptroller – serve four year terms and were last up for election in the fall of 2006.
* The New York City Council is the law-making body and consists of 51 voting members. An elected Public Advocate is the non-voting presiding officer, who can introduce legislation. Councilmembers serve four year staggered terms with elections being held in odd numbered years. Information about current issues and legislation can be found on the Council's Web site (see below).
Federal: Annenberg Political Fact Check
A nonpartisan, nonprofit, consumer advocate for voters that monitors "the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates,
speeches, interviews, and news releases." The site's original articles analyze and comment on political claims and statements, providing summaries and the facts. From the Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) of the University of Pennsylvania.
Federal: Voting and Elections - USA.gov
A guide to government information about voting, from the official Web portal of the United States government. Provides links covering every aspect of voting, plus contact information for elected officials and a kids’ guide to voting.
General: Elections 2008 (University of Michigan Library)
A comprehensive guide from the respected University of Michigan Documents Center. Research presidential and congressional candidates from this site -- platforms, campaign financing, and more. Also provides links to resources on campaign topics from abortion to the mortgage crisis to terrorism.
General: The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE)
CIRCLE "promotes research on the civic and political engagement of Americans between the ages of 15 and 25." The site includes statistics and reports on youth voting and civic involvement.
New York City: New York City Board of Elections
Includes city election dates, information on how to register to vote and absentee voting, and where your polling place is. Also provides resources for individual campaigns, such as listings of candidates, the text of ballot proposals, and past election results and statistics.
New York City: New York City Council
The official Web site of New York City's lawmaking body. Also includes information about current issues and pending legislation.
New York City: Voter Assistance Commission
A New York City government site with links to printable voter registration forms and other information on registration and eligibility. Includes calendars of public meetings, hearings, and election dates.
New York State: League of Women Voters of New York State - Voter Resource Network
The New York office of the League of Women Voters puts out a number of brochures, many of which are available online. Topics covered include judicial offices and voting while in college, as well as general statewide voters' guides.
New York State: New York State Board of Elections
Includes voting eligibility requirements and registration instruction, along with other resources like district maps and campaign finance information. Links to the Web sites of the State Assembly and State Senate are also here.
New York State: You Can Vote (NYCLU)
A voting rights toolkit, including what people with criminal records are entitled to, from the New York Civil Liberties Union.
A directory of local and national associations. Try "Elections" OR "Voter Registration" in the Subject Descriptor field.
Search in congressional publications, legislative histories, member records, and more.
Search by keyword for articles in selected state newspapers -- including the New York Times and the New York Post -- to find information about local candidates and proposed legislation.
An extensive information source for homework assignments.
Declare Yourself: Speak, Connect, Act, Vote: More Than 50 Celebrated Americans Tell You Why
A collection of essays by celebrities -- including actors, authors, and athletes -- encourages young adults to think about what democracy means, to register to vote, and to speak up about the issues that matter the most to them.
How Do We Elect Our Leaders?
William David Thomas
This book describes how the president of the United States, Senators and members of the House of Representatives, as well as state and local officials, are elected.
Municipal Yellow Book
A directory of city and county governments and local authorities.
State Yellow Book
A directory of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the 50 state governments.
The Right to Vote: The Contested History of Democracy in the United States
Alexander Keyssar
Recounts the tumultuous and uneven history of suffrage in the United States.
Vote!
Eileen Christelow
An explanation of a race for mayor illustrates the principles of elections for young readers.
The Brooklyn office is at 345 Adams St, 4th Fl, Brooklyn, NY 11201.
Visit the office to register to vote, request an absentee ballot, change your party enrollment, or find out about upcoming or future elections.
(718) 797-8800 / TTY (212) 487-5496 for hearing impaired / email vote@boe.nyc.ny.us
Call the BOE Phone Bank to find out if you are registered in NYC, if you are registered in a party that is having a primary, who will appear on the ballot, and where you go to vote.
(866) VOTE-NYC (866-868-3692) / outside New York City (212) VOTE-NYC / TDD (212) 487-5496
A booklet of information organized by voting district, available at your local library near municipal election time.
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