June 15, 2020
Dear Families,
I hope you had a safe and restful weekend. I’d like to share information provided by our City colleagues about
two important actions you can take immediately to have your voice heard about the future of our city: filling out
the 2020 United States Census, and voting in the primary election on Tuesday, June 23. Here is what you need to know:
How to Vote in the June 23 Primary Election
This month, primary elections will take place across New York City. You can confirm which races are happening
in your district with nyc.pollsitelocator.com
Here’s how you can vote:
Vote by Mail
In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, all New Yorkers with primary elections are able to vote by
mail. You must request your mail-in ballot by Tuesday, June 16, which can be done online at
nycabsentee.com, by calling 1-866-VOTE-NYC, or by mail.
For those who are away from home, you may request that your ballot be sent to your current residence.
Once you receive your ballot, you must complete and postmark it by Tuesday, June 23. For more
information, visit vote.nyc
Vote in Person
In-person voting, including early voting, is still available. You may do so during the early voting period
from now until Sunday, June 21, or on Election Day, June 23.
If possible, we recommend voting early, when crowds are expected to be smaller and lines to be shorter.
To find your early voting site, Election Day site, and poll site hours, visit nyc.pollsitelocator.com
To register to vote in future elections, update your existing registration, find your assigned poll site, check
your registration status, or get more information on voting, visit voting.nyc or call 311.
How to Fill Out the United States Census
The Census is a headcount of the U.S. population that happens once every ten years. It is extremely important to
fill out because it determines critical educational resources available to New York City, as well as other vital government benefits and electoral representation.
This year, filling out the Census is easier than ever. You can complete it in five minutes, in fifteen languages,
online at my2020census.gov or over the phone by calling 844-330-2020.
The Census does not include a citizenship question. Even if you are undocumented, filling out the census will
not put you or your family at risk. Census responses are private, protected by federal law, and will never be shared
with NYCHA, ICE, HRA, Department of Buildings, or any other government agency—or your landlord.
You and your family need to be counted because Census results determine critical school funding, including
special education grants, extra supplies, much-needed technology, and more teachers for our classrooms. It also
helps to set funding for Early Learn Centers, In-School and Out-of-School Youth Programs, child care programs, and more.
The Census also serves enormously important non-education purposes. That includes funding for Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, hospital care, affordable housing, and more. Plus, the Census
affects each state’s allotment of representatives to Congress and Electoral College votes.
Now more than ever, we need to step up and help make sure all New Yorkers are counted! A complete count will
bring our city the resources we need as we recover from the pandemic and its economic impact.
Civic participation is critical for a healthy democracy. I hope these resources are of use to you and your family.
Sincerely,
Richard A. Carranza
Chancellor
New York City Department of Education
