Civic Engagement

Information on Voting & Elections in NYC

General Election Day 2025

Early Voting in New York City is October 25 – November 2 and Election Day is November 4 for the New York General Election. Check out the full election calendar at nycvotes.org. 

You can register to vote in NYC online with NYC Votes and TurboVote. Every Brooklyn Public Library branch also has voter registration forms available -- just ask at your branch's Information Desk.
Voting in NYC’s general election is more than just selecting a president — it's about making crucial decisions that affect your community and state. Visit nycvotes.org/whats-on-the-ballot to review candidates, ballot questions and see what's on your ballot.
There are three ways to cast your ballot: early voting, vote by mail, and on Election Day. Learn about your options at nycvotes.org/how-to-vote.

 

Upcoming Events

New York State Commission on Reparations Remedies Public Hearing

Thu, Jul 31 4:00pm
Brooklyn Heights Library, Multipurpose Room

Civic Engagement

Join the New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies for a public hearing at Central Library. Community members are invited to share personal testimony about the lasting impacts of redlining and gentrification in New York. This event is free and open to all. Learn more at ny.gov/…

New York State Reparations Remedies Business Meeting

Fri, Aug 1 10:00am
Brooklyn Heights Library, Multipurpose Room

adult learning Civic Engagement library advocacy

See August 1 Meeting Agenda
Please note: the first 20 minutes of the business meeting will be open to the public. The meeting will then go into Executive Session which is closed to the public.


 

IDNYC Appointment Assistance

Fri, Aug 1 3:00pm
New Lots Learning Center

Civic Engagement Office Hours

Need to get a NYC ID, but having trouble securing an appointment? 

Appointments for the NYC ID card are released every Friday at 3 PM for the following week and fill up fast.

If you need help making an appointment, our staff is ready and willing to help on Fridays from 3 PM-4 PM…

IDNYC sign-up assistance / asistencia de inscribirse para IDNYC

Fri, Aug 1 3:00pm
Marcy Library

Civic Engagement Immigrant Services

Do you need assistance signing up for an IDNYC card? Come to Marcy Library on Fridays from 3pm to 5pm! We will help you make an appointment to obtain a card and prepare your documents.

¿Necesita ayuda para obtener una tarjeta de IDNYC? ¡Ven a Marcy Library Viernes de 15h a 17h! Se ayudamos…

NYC Council Member Rita Joseph

Mon, Aug 4 11:00am
Kensington Library

Civic Engagement social services

Join the team from the Office of Council Member Rita Joseph at the Kensington LIibrary. Staff will be on hand to connect constituents with services, answer questions, and offer support -especially those who may not be able to visit Council Member Rita Joseph’s District Office. No appointment…

Understanding the News: Guidance and Discussion

Tue, Aug 5 4:00pm
Marcy Library

adult learning AI and emerging technologies Civic Engagement

Intimidated or frustrated by the coverage of current events? Shocked or confused by something you read online? New to reading the news and not sure where to start? Come to Marcy Library and have all of your news- and media-related questions answered by a librarian! Whether it's an article in a…

BRIDGING THE GAP – OUR STREETS, OUR STORIES

Thu, Aug 7 4:00pm
Central Library, Info Commons Lab

brooklyn history Civic Engagement podcasting and audio recording

INTERGENERATIONAL STORY SHARING & ORAL HISTORY COLLECTION

Attention older adults and teens:

We are continuing to Bridge the Gap between teens and older adults through storytelling and recording oral histories!

Collecting oral histories is key for deeper understanding of the…

IDNYC sign-up assistance / asistencia de inscribirse para IDNYC

Fri, Aug 8 3:00pm
Marcy Library

Civic Engagement Immigrant Services

Do you need assistance signing up for an IDNYC card? Come to Marcy Library on Fridays from 3pm to 5pm! We will help you make an appointment to obtain a card and prepare your documents.

¿Necesita ayuda para obtener una tarjeta de IDNYC? ¡Ven a Marcy Library Viernes de 15h a 17h! Se ayudamos…

IDNYC Appointment Assistance

Fri, Aug 8 3:00pm
New Lots Learning Center

Civic Engagement Office Hours

Need to get a NYC ID, but having trouble securing an appointment? 

Appointments for the NYC ID card are released every Friday at 3 PM for the following week and fill up fast.

If you need help making an appointment, our staff is ready and willing to help on Fridays from 3 PM-4 PM…

Satellite office hours with Council Member Rita Joseph

Mon, Aug 11 11:00am
Crown Heights Library

Civic Engagement legal resources

At Crown Heights Library Council Member Rita Joseph office will be available to answer questions about:

311 complaints follow upsSigning up for free immigration legal servicesCity agency inquiresInformation about the services the office provides and referrals

Stop by if you have a problem,…

Key Dates for the 2025 New York Primary Election

Early Voting
Sat, October 25, 2025 – Sun, November 2, 2025
Vote early in person before Election Day! Find your early voting site and hours.

Early mail/absentee ballot and voter registration form request deadline
Sat, October 25, 2025
Last day for the Board of Elections to receive an application for Early mail ballot, absentee ballot, and voter registration form by mail, online portal, email, or fax.

Voter registration application deadline
Sat, October 25, 2025
Last day voter registration application must be received by the Board of Elections by mail or in person. Find your borough Board of Elections office.

Early mail/absentee ballot request deadline (in-person)
Mon, October 25, 2025
Last day to apply in person at Board of Elections for Early Mail Ballot and Absentee Ballots. Find your borough Board of Elections office.

Election Day
Tues, November 4, 2025
Polls are open 6am-9pm. Find your poll site.

Deadline to return early mail/absentee ballot
Tues, November 4, 2025
Last day to postmark your early mail ballot and absentee ballot return envelope. Last day to deliver a ballot in person at the Board of Elections or drop it off at a poll site. Find your poll site.

BPL is an official partner on National Voter Registration Day (NVRD). NVRD seeks to create broad awareness of voter registration opportunities to reach tens of thousands of voters who may not register otherwise.