Queer Caribbeans Vote: A 2020 Voter Registration and Educational Campaign
YOUR VOTE IS YOUR VOICE.
Voting is a constitutional right, one which we must ALL exercise now more than ever. Your vote is your voice, and it demonstrates our political power to elect progressive leaders. Leaders who will advance LGBTQ+ affirming legislation, end religious and racially discriminatory policies, and fight for equity for ALL, regardless of one's immigration status. To encourage civic participation in the 2020 Election and to promote voter education, we are launching "Queer Caribbeans Vote," a Black and Brown Queer and Trans Caribbean immigrant-focused civic engagement campaign. This culturally-responsive initiative aims to mobilize our community to VOTE to create a future in which we are all safe, have economic sustainability, and free to live and breathe.
As an LGBTQ and immigrant rights organization, we register eligible voters, coordinate political candidate forums, and work with allied community partners to amplify Black and Brown Queer and Trans Caribbean voices in New York. Our civic engagement organizing recognizes that our Queer, TGNC and Trans electorate members are vital in the need to get out and vote in every election. While there are members of our Queer Caribbeans community that are ineligible to vote because of citizenship status, we strongly encourage those in our community who are a part of the electorate to get registered to vote, so as to advocate for full and equal voting rights for all going forward.
WHAT IF YOUR NAME DOESN’T MATCH WHAT’S ON YOUR ID?
Your voter registration gender marker and name needs to match your State ID. For 378,000 voting-eligible transgender people, that can make voting at the polls uncomfortable, and incongruous with their lived identity.
Whether it’s because of COVID or you’re one of the 33% of transgender people who don’t have IDs to match your lived identity and would rather not have to present that ID , you can vote by mail.
Here are the necessary resources for how to vote safely (amidst an ongoing pandemic) in this and every election going forward. You can start by checking your voter registration today at www.whenweallvote.org.
The 2020 Election Day is Tuesday, November 3rd: The general deadline to register is October 9th in New York State (online, by mail, and in-person).
Elections matter. All of them, not just your vote for State Governor or President of the United States. From school superintendent to sheriff to senator to your congressional representatives, our elected officials determine the quality and equity of our law enforcement, public education systems, and so much more. Vote! Our lives depend on it.
MAKE A PLAN TO VOTE!
How do I register to vote? Eligible citizens who are 18 years of age or older may register to vote.
Register to Vote or Verify Your Voter Registration Status Here: Headcount.org | Rock the Vote | Vote.org | Vote.NYC | WhenWeALLVote.org
VOTE EARLY: New Yorkers can vote early for the November 3, 2020 general election
Early Voting Period is October 24, 2020 - November 1, 2020
There are nine days of early voting prior to Election Day.
Voter Registration and Voting Resources: Headcount.org | Rock the Vote | Vote.org | Vote.NYC | WhenWeALLVote.org
VOTE-BY-MAIL: request an Absentee Ballot
Power of the disability vote. You can vote even if you cannot get to the polling site on Election Day.
When is it due? You must postmark, apply online, email or fax your completed application for the General Absentee ballot by October 27, 2020. You may apply in-person by November 2, 2020. Ballots will be mailed beginning on/after September 18, 2020.
To Apply for a New York City Absentee Ballot - Click Here
Email application to Apply4Absentee@boe.nyc (Applications must be saved in a (.pdf) format to avoid delays)
Mail application to local borough office
Calling 1-866-VOTE-NYC (1-866-868-3692)
You may return the ballot in any of the following ways:
Put it in the mail ensuring it receives a postmark no later than November 3rd.
Drop it off at an early voting poll site between October 24th and November 1st.
Drop it off at a poll site on November 3rd by 9 pm.
Drop it off at your County Board of Elections Office starting September 8 until no later than November 3 by 9pm (see list of County Board of Elections Offices below)
Refer to these instructions on completing your absentee ballot
VOTE ON ELECTION DAY: march to the polls
On November 3, 2020 -General Election Day- poll sites are open 6 AM to 9 PM.
How do I find my polling place? Once you are registered to vote, you can vote at your local polling place on Election Day. Your polling place should be listed on the sample ballot you receive in the mail once you are registered to vote. You can also call your local county elections office or look it up online.
Show up in person with your mask in tow, and get ready to social distance while on line.
New York general voter information and facts: https://www.elections.ny.gov
Nationwide general voter information and facts: WhenWeALLVote.org
Election Poll Locator: Headcount.org | Rock the Vote | Vote.org | Vote.NYC | WhenWeALLVote.org
Become a poll worker
Currently, New York is experiencing a record shortage of poll workers this year due to COVID-19. Sign up today to work the polls this year, and make a difference in your fellow voters’ lives: www.powerthepolls.org
Partners and sponsors
