ASTORIA, NY– Voter registration forms in the Greek language are now available. New York State Senator Michael Gianaris welcomed the newly accessible forms which will be available on the New York City Campaign Finance Board website. Making it even easier for Greek-speakers to register, the forms will also soon be found at the office of Senator Michael Gianaris and public libraries.
Senator Michael Gianaris said, “As someone who got his start in politics registering members of our community to vote, I know how important it is to make sure everyone has proper access to our democratic process. Offering Greek-language voter registration forms provides a better opportunity for our community to have a louder voice in government.”
The first Greek woman elected to office in New York State, assemblywoman Aravella Simotas, observed, “It is vitally important that our community is able to register to vote so that they are able to exercise this fundamental right. When my parents became American citizens, they were proud to be able to participate in this country’s political process and they instilled in me the importance of voting. Making voter registration forms available in Greek not only makes our voice as a community stronger, but honors our history and tradition of democracy. As always, voters can find voter registration forms at my office. I am so proud we can now provide them in Greek.”
Starting in July 2016, voter registration forms expanded from English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Bangla to include Russian, Urdu, Haitian Creole, French, and Arabic. Starting this month, the New York City Campaign Finance Board will add Greek, Albanian, Polish, Italian, Yiddish, and Tagalog. New Yorkers can register to vote through these forms on the New York City Campaign Finance Board website. New York voters have up to October 14 to register. Election Day is Tuesday, November 8.