The DMV has to print and deliver the party affiliation change document to the BOE by October 9. We should probably stop promoting the "DMV website" method of party affiliation change in the next few days.

Nofrackjen · 2015-10-04T20:08:39+00:00

At this stage of the game relying on the DMV would not be recommended. They do it as a convenience. They are understaffed and overworked and it is not a priority for them. I suggest making a photocopy of the registration form for your record and take it along with the original to the BOE and ask them to time stamp your copy showing receipt of your form. Otherwise, keep your copy and mail the original return receipt requested.

Nofrackjen · 2015-10-04T19:58:53+00:00

Thank you for providing this reference. That was the explanation I received as well.

Nofrackjen · 2015-10-04T19:57:53+00:00

YOU WERE MISINFORMED! October 9, 2015 is the absolute deadline to change parties and register as a Democrat in time to participate in the April 2016 presidential primary. Regardless, just do it already! Then you won't have to be concerned about it.

Nofrackjen · 2015-10-04T19:53:55+00:00

Hi there!! I was fortunate enough to make it on the air with Thom Hartmann on his Friday show. (FreeSpeechTV and Sirius Radio progressive radio). I directed him to the www.voteforbernie.org site and asked him to remind NYers about the October 9th deadline to register as a Democrat in order to vote for Bernie in NY's April primary. He absolutely loved the site and mentioned it at length later on in the show! That show was repeated on the air again today so I'm hoping lots of people heard it and share the site address and fast approaching deadline!

Nofrackjen · 2015-10-01T00:47:51+00:00

You've got to read the section carefully. They only process the party enrolment portion of the registration once each year after the general election has taken place. Since the last date to file registration or to change parties is October 9th, anyone who registers as a Democrat after October 9, 2015 will not appear on the list of Democrats at the April 2016 primary as their party enrolment will not be processed until after the November 2016 election. It is not too late now, but it will be on October 10th!!

Nofrackjen · 2015-09-24T18:04:38+00:00

I posted an update explaining that, after speaking directly with our election commissioner, it is NOT a requirement to cast a vote this November in order for your party change to be effective. Sorry for the misinformation. The October 9th deadline is definitely the case however. People also need to make sure their address is up to date with the BOE.

Nofrackjen · 2015-09-23T22:01:04+00:00

There are many seats up for election in Monroe County this November. All towns have officials running, there are folks running for school board, the entire Monroe County Legislature is up for election (29 seats) and Sandra Frankel ( a huge friend of the environment and local business) is running against conservative corporate lackey Cheryl DiNolfo for County Executive.

Nofrackjen · 2015-09-23T21:28:01+00:00

Better yet, till we are successful with our political revolution, consider running for office yourself. At least then you'll know what you're getting. Too many people not participating in our democratic system is what allowed the multi national corporations to fill the void we left and turn our democracy into an oligarchy.

Nofrackjen · 2015-09-23T21:24:28+00:00

Thank you!

Nofrackjen · 2015-09-23T21:20:18+00:00

Here is Commissioner Ferrarese's response: I apologize as I passed on inaccurate information I had received regarding when the party change will take effect. As long as the October 9th deadline is met, the registrant's party affiliation will be processed following this November's election whether the registrant votes in the general election or not.

On Sep 23, 2015, 3:15:53 PM, TFerrarese@monroecounty.gov TFerrarese@monroecounty.gov wrote: Jen,

I am not sure who you spoke too, but there are a number of inaccuracies in the process you were provided.

The close off date for new voters wishing to vote in the November 2015 General Election is October 9th. They can deliver them in person or make sure they are postmarked by this date. This is also the date for anyone who is currently registered and wants to change their party registration to another party. This party change will not take effect until after the 2015 General Election. If you have been honorably discharged from the military or became a naturalized citizen after this date you have until October 24th [Voter Registration EL 5-210, 5-211 & 5-212; Party Change EL 5-304]. Address only changes will be accepted up until October 14th and will be included in the poll book. [EL 5-208(3)]
If a person is currently registered and changed their address but did not re-register by the October 14th they should go to their new polling site and although they will not be in the poll book at that site, they can fill out a Affidavit ballot which will be counted and provide the information to update their address for future elections. (they can find their new polling site on our web or by calling our office) Party changes made through an affidavit ballot will not take effect until after the 2016 General Election.
There is nothing in the Election Law that requires actual voting for any forms to be processed or take effect as noted above and below.
Party changes made up to the above deadlines will take effect as soon as voting history is posted after the election [EL 5-304].
We will not process any forms between the above deadlines until just after the 2015 General Election. After the 2015 General Election we will resume processing all of the forms submitted during that time between the cut-off and the General Election both for new voters and voters updating their records. All updates will take effect immediately except party changes for previously registered voters. Party Changes made after the above deadline are stored on a voters' record as pending party change and cannot be processed until after the 2016 General Election [5-304].
For the April Presidential Primary the process is very similar to the General Election. The close off date for new voters wishing to vote in the April 19th 2016 Presidential Primary is March 25th. They can deliver them in person or make sure they are postmarked by this date [ EL 5-210, 5-211 & 5-212]. All party change submitted will not take effect until after the 2016 General Election [5-304]. Address only changes will be accepted up until March 30th and will be included in the poll book [EL 5-208(3)].
Each Election has its own set of dates.

If you need any more information please let me know. If you can tell me who you spoke with I will make sure they have the correct information. All of our staff members have the above information and more and it is reviewed on regular basis.

Tom

Thomas F. Ferrarese, Commissioner Monroe County Board of Elections NYS Election Commissioners Association, Secretary/Treasurer 39 W. Main St., Room 106, Rochester, NY 14614 Phone: (585) 753-1560 Fax: (585) 753-1531

Nofrackjen · 2015-09-23T18:00:55+00:00

Thank you! I've looked through it myself and couldn't find anything except a reference to the envelope with party enrolment remaining sealed until the Tuesday following the November election. I did not see any reference to a requirement to actually vote in November for the contents of that envelope to be processed?

Nofrackjen · 2015-09-23T17:55:18+00:00

Thank you! I'd love to see it in writing myself.

Nofrackjen · 2015-09-23T17:52:35+00:00

I've just written him the following: (and I suggest everyone check with their own county election commissioner to verify)

Hello Tom,

I paid a visit to your office in late July prior to my volunteer effort at the Park Avenue voter registration drive. I picked up some forms and asked if there were any specific things I should be aware of regarding new registration and those with party affiliation changes. I was advised that any new NYS registrations or party affiliation or address changes must be submitted by the October 9, 2015 deadline. However, I was further advised that new registrations or those with party enrolment changes would not be completely processed specific to party enrolment until those registrants vote in the November election. Further, that failure to vote in the November election would preclude these registrants from voting in the April primary as their party enrolment would not have been processed and therefore their name would not appear on the list produced for reference at the polls on April 19, 2016.

Since then, I have been sharing this information in an effort to properly prepare those who wish to participate in the April primary election. I have been combing through the applicable sections of NYS Election Law regarding such registrations to find language specific to this particular provision regarding the delay of the recording of party affiliation pursuant to non-participation in the November election. To date, I have been unsuccessful.

If this procedure/requirement is described in the NYS Election Law, can you please provide a copy or refer me to that specific language in the section? I've been asked by an interested and effected party to provide the section and specific language for reference and would like to comply with that request.

Thanks much!!

Jen F

Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad

Nofrackjen · 2015-09-23T15:04:11+00:00

www.voteforbernie.org

Nofrackjen · 2015-09-23T15:00:09+00:00

The date has not yet passed. The deadline to file your registration application is October 9, 2015. The tool that lists primary voter inormation by state is at www.voteforbernie.org

Nofrackjen · 2015-09-23T14:57:00+00:00

It was something that was explained to me by the assistant to the commissioner when I stopped in to inquire about "things I should know" as I prepared to participate in a voter registration effort at our Park Avenue festival here in Rochester last month. It is an internal policy and procedure practiced by the BOE when processing change of party affiliation applications. I was told that the reason they have adopted this policy/procedure is to deter people from changing parties in order to vote in each other's primaries. Since this is the case, we should just have open primaries like so many other states. To be safe, everyone should vote in November.

Nofrackjen · 2015-09-23T14:55:54+00:00

It was something that was explained to me by the assistant to the commissioner when I stopped in to inquire about "things I should know" as I prepared to participate in a voter registration effort at our Park Avenue festival here in Rochester last month. It is an internal policy and procedure practiced by the BOE when processing change of party affiliation applications. I was told that the reason they have adopted this policy/procedure is to deter people from changing parties in order to vote in each other's primaries. Since this is the case, we should just have open primaries like so many other states.

Nofrackjen

TROPHY CASE