Filed Under: State | Statewide

To register to vote, visit the state Board of Elections at www.elections.state.ny.us/ or (518) 474-1953, or visit New York City's site at www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/vac/html/voting.html or call (212) VOTE-NYC. New York Capital: Albany

Helpful printed guides/directories:

* New York State Directory, available from Walkers Research, (800) 258-5737 or www.walkersresearch.com. This directory is expensive, but offers detailed coverage of all facets of state government, including 12,000 contact listings for public and private sector resources in over 25 policy areas.

* New York State Legislative Reference Guide, available from Capitol Hill Management Services, (518) 462-6805.

* They Represent You, available from the League of Women Voters, (212) 674-8484 or (518) 465-4162.

* Who's Who in New York City Government, available from City Project, (212) 965-1967. For focused media coverage on state government:

* Inside Albany (www.insidealbany.com) Weekly TV programs; runs on local public stations.

* Empire State Report (www.empirestatereport.com) Independent monthly magazine.

* Times Union (www.timesunion.com) Daily newspaper based in Albany.

* Legislative Gazette (www.legislativegazette.com) Weekly newspaper of New York State Government. Committee on Open Government NYS Department of State 41 State Street Albany, NY 12231 Phone: (518) 474-2518 www.dos.state.ny.us/coog/coogwww.html Email: opengove@dos.state.ny.us "Your Right to Know: New York State's Open Government Laws" is a free 16-page brochure that offers advice on obtaining state and local government documents through the Freedom of Information Law. Helpful information is also found online at their Web site.