An application to change one’s party enrollment for the Primary Election in any year must be received by the Board of Elections no later than Saturday.

The Board of Elections office will observe special hours on Saturday, February 14th for this deadline from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. The Board of Elections is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during the week and would like the public to be aware that changes submitted through the NYS DMV must be made by Friday at 2 p.m., in order for the DMV to transmit the data to the Board of Elections timely. A change of enrollment received by the BOE no later than Saturday or after June 30 would be effective immediately, per Election Law §5-304(3). “It should be noted that this year, the MotorVoter portal, operated by the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles will stop allowing voters to make changes at 2PM on Friday, February 13th.” states Commissioner Luz Torres and Nacole Ellis. The DMV’s online system will be taken offline for scheduled maintenance, as announced by the Chautauqua County Clerk and NYS DMV.

“Voters who do not have a change of enrollment by 5 p.m. on Saturday, February 14 or online by 11:59 p.m. will remain their current political party affiliation until Tuesday, June 30,” adds Commissioner Luz Torres.

Elections in a Primary Election require you to be affiliated with the party you wish to vote for,” Ellis said. Voters still interested in changing their party online can continue to utilize the state Board of Elections Online Voter Registration Portal up until midnight on Saturday February 14th 2026.”

Voters wishing to change their political party need to complete a new Voter Registration Form, designating their new political party choice. Forms can be submitted in-person or via proxy at the Board of Elections office located at 7 N Erie St. Mayville, NY 14757. Voter Registration Forms are available on line at www.votechautauqua.com and at any local municipal office, library, post office or at the Board of Elections. Online options include the New York State Online Voter Registration portal (up to midnight on the 14th of February) or the Department of Motor Vehicles MotorVoter portal (only until 2PM on the 13th of February). Links to both websites are available at www.votechautauqua.com.