NEW YORK CITY — On Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016, America will elect its 45th president, but the primary election process began in February with the Iowa caucus and ends in June.
The New York presidential primary election is Tuesday, April 19.
According to the New York City Board of Elections, the following political parties are participating in the New York primaries: Democratic, Republican, Conservative, Working Families, Independence and Green parties.
Here's what you need to know before Primary Day:
► New York's primary is a closed one, which means that you can only vote for the party you’re affiliated with.
And it's too late to switch your affiliation. (The deadline was Oct. 9.)
► If aren't sure whether you're registered to vote, you can look that up.
The deadline to register to vote in this year's primary was March 25, but you might already have been a registered voter in New York. Use the state's voter registration search to check.
► On primary day itself, you'll need to find your polling site.
Find your local polling station. They will be open at 6 a.m. and close at 9 p.m. in New York City.
► If you're planning on voting by absentee ballot, you'll need to submit an application.
Registered voters can vote by absentee ballot when business, studies, travel, illness, disability or hospitalization will keep them from make it to the polls on Election Day.
The application for an absentee ballot is available for download in PDF form in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Bengali here. You can also call 1.866.VOTE.NYC to request a postage-paid application in the mail, or pick one up at one of the Board of Elections offices listed here.
Tuesday, April 12 is the last day to postmark your application if you're sending it by mail. You have until Monday, April 18 to apply in-person for an absentee ballot, or to mail your actual ballot.
If a representative with an authorized letter is delivering your absentee ballot to your borough office, they have to submit it by 9 p.m. on election day.
► Interested in a poll worker position?
You could earn as much as $300 for a day's work and related training. Apply here.
► Here's where to turn if you have more questions.
The websites of the City Board of Elections and the State Board of Elections can answer most questions about the New York primary elections.
Otherwise, call the State Board of Elections at 518-474-6220.
► Check the dates for upcoming elections taking place after the April 19th primary on the Board of Elections Website.
CHECK OUT MORE DNAinfo ELECTION COVERAGE:
► MAP: Trump's New York
► MAP: Bernie Sanders' New York
► MAP: Hillary Clinton's New York
► John Kasich Campaigning in New York City
► Ted Cruz in New York City
► Where to Watch the Bernie-Hillary Debate on April 14 ► How to Find Your Polling Site for the April 19 Primary
