The New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has announced that to change political party affiliation online, individuals must complete their requests before 2 PM on February 13. This deadline is critical for those wishing to participate in the upcoming 2026 primary elections, as changes made after this point will not be recognized in the primary election process. The notice comes in light of an impending system-wide closure that is scheduled to begin on the same day.

In addition to the deadline for online changes, the DMV has indicated that all its offices will be closing for system updates starting February 13. This means that not only will online services be unavailable, but direct assistance and phone services will also be suspended temporarily. The closure is part of a scheduled maintenance to ensure that systems are fully updated and operational for the upcoming electoral process.

This operational pause will last until February 18, when in-person services and online capabilities are expected to resume. The implications of this closure are significant, especially for those voters who intend to change their party affiliation to participate in the elections, highlighting the urgency of acting before the deadline to ensure their preferences are accounted for in the electoral rolls.