New York's Primary Date is February 5, 2008, but January 11 is the deadline for filing an application to be eligible to vote in the presidential primaries. You must file in person at the board of elections or mail an application postmarked no later than January 11. The application must be received by the deadline of January 16.
If you want to vote by absentee ballot, your request must be mailed to the board of elections no later than January 29. You may apply in person for a ballot as late as February 4. Ballots must be postmarked by February 4 and received by the board of elections by February 12.