Civic Engagement
Civic engagement means taking an active role to improve your community and strengthen democracy. There are many ways to get involved in your community. For example, you can participate in your community board, volunteer at a community-based organization, or get involved in local politics by canvassing for a candidate or voting.
Civic engagement and health are connected. Voting helps people build stronger communities, which leads to better health. Communities with higher voter turnout have been shown to have better health outcomes. When people take part in the democratic process, communities can secure more government resources, such as more trees for better air quality, increased access to health providers, or green space for activities.
Register to Vote
New York’s voting laws provide citizens with easy ways to register and vote. You can register to vote online, by mail, at the DMV, at any NYC Health Department facility, and at many other government offices.
- To register online, complete the application.
- If you are unsure if you are registered, check your registration status.
- If you need to find your poll site, enter your address and look up your assigned site.
The 2026 general election will be held on Tuesday, November 3. See upcoming election dates and deadlines.
Get Involved
There are other ways to participate in supporting your community besides voting. The NYC Civic Engagement Commission hosts an annual participatory budget process called The People’s Money. Anyone living in NYC who is 11 and older can participate, regardless of immigration or incarceration status.
Every neighborhood in NYC has a community board that is open to the public to participate in discussions and make recommendations. Learn more about how to get involved at NYC Community Boards.