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NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – Registering voters for this year’s election was one of the top priorities during Tuesday's New Rochelle League of Women Voters National Voter Registration Day.
The local league has had four registration days at the city’s three college campuses – Iona College, College of New Rochelle and Monroe College.
Pearl Quarles, voter registration chairwoman for the league, said her chapter expected to register between 300-325 people, particularly college students, by the end of the drive.
“They're citizens, and they have the right and the responsibility once they register to have a part in the decisions of this country,” she said.
Some league chapters have scheduled additional voter registration drives before the Oct. 12 deadline to register. Chapters will have applications for new voters, which it will then submit on their behalf.
“We've got to get people out to vote,” said Stephen Dewey, chairman of the Town of Ossining Republican Party. “This year is going to be one of the more critical years to get out and vote regardless of what party you’re in. It is surprising to me how many people who are not registered around here. This is one of those freedoms we are afforded and it’s going to be especially critical here this year.”
Residents who are American citizens, 18 or older, and have lived at their present address for at least 30 days by Nov. 6, are eligible to vote.
Unregistered residents who wish to vote in the Nov. 6 election also can register in person at the Westchester County Board of Elections or at the Department of Motor Vehicles offices in White Plains, Peekskill and Yonkers. Residents may download a form online or request one by calling 914-995-5713.
Registration forms mailed to the Board of Elections must be postmarked by Oct. 12 and received by Oct. 17.
Those who have been honorably discharged from the military or will become naturalized citizens after Oct. 12 have until Oct. 26 to register in person at the board of elections office.
Voters are encouraged to visit Vote411 to get more details about candidate forums in their area.
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