Elections

Elections in NYC

The United States is experiencing one of the most tumultuous national election cycles in our country’s history. Already, two weeks before Election Day, millions of people have voted either through early voting or with absentee ballots, also known as mail-in votes. On Saturday, October 24, voters in New York State will begin nine days of early voting. And on Election Day, November 3, registered voters will be able to cast their vote during a full day from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

We pulled some images and film footage related to campaigns and elections from our digitized collections to remind everyone of this country’s long history of the democratic process.  

Department of Public Works Commissioner Halleran standing by an election poster for President Abraham Lincoln and Vice President Andrew Johnson, the “Union Nomination,” n.d. Borough President Queens Photograph Collection. NYC Municipal Archives

Department of Public Works Commissioner Halleran standing by an election poster for President Abraham Lincoln and Vice President Andrew Johnson, the “Union Nomination,” n.d. Borough President Queens Photograph Collection. NYC Municipal Archives

Fiorello LaGuardia ran on the Fusion Party ticket in the 1933 election for mayor. He won. Poster, 1933. Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia Collection. NYC Municipal Archives

Fiorello LaGuardia ran on the Fusion Party ticket in the 1933 election for mayor. He won. Poster, 1933. Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia Collection. NYC Municipal Archives

In 1968, City Council President Paul O’Dwyer ran for the U.S. Senate. He won the primary, but lost in the November general election to the Republican Jacob K. Javits. Senate Campaign Poster. Municipal Archives Collection. NYC Municipal Archives.

In 1968, City Council President Paul O’Dwyer ran for the U.S. Senate. He won the primary, but lost in the November general election to the Republican Jacob K. Javits. Senate Campaign Poster. Municipal Archives Collection. NYC Municipal Archives.

Robert Kennedy served in the U.S. Senate representing New York from January 1965 until his assassination in June 1968. Campaign Brochure, 1965. Vertical Files. NYC Municipal Library.

Hubert Humphrey’s 1968 presidential campaign made a swing through lower Manhattan on October 8, 1968, captured in this silent film, NYPD Surveillance Film Collection. NYC Municipal Archives.

Celebrate the anniversary of Women’s Suffrage by expanding access to the ballot in New York State

On November 6, 2017 New Yorkers will celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the State’s women winning the right to vote. On November 7, New Yorkers will vote in municipal elections. If prior elections are any guide, the turnout will be low. In 2013, 24% of registered City voters turned out at the polls, down from the 93% of eligible voters who went to the polls in 1953. Many surmise that New Yorkers don’t vote because the cumbersome registration process disenfranchises people, just as sexism disenfranchised women, a century ago.