New York City has seen a near-record number of early voters, with over 1.09 million people casting ballots before Election Day. The city’s Board of Elections reported that the early voting period, which ran from October 26 to November 3, was more efficient and less chaotic than in previous elections.
The high turnout represents about 20% of registered voters in the city. On Sunday alone, a record-breaking 149,319 New Yorkers voted early, with many citing the presidential election as their top priority.
Polls will open on Election Day at 6 a.m. and close at 9 p.m. Voters can find their polling location by visiting the Board of Elections’ website. The city has also launched an election day wait time map to help plan for busy lines.
While some voters, like Michelle Quimi, expressed concerns about long lines during past elections, many others, including Juditch Pisano and Dave, cited specific issues as motivators for their votes. For example, Pisano credited her support for Donald Trump to a recent event at a rally, while Dave attributed his shift to the Republican party to the influx of migrants in the area.
Other notable contests on the ballot include several state-level races in purple areas of the city, as well as proposal 1, which aims to strengthen anti-discrimination rights and enshrine the right to abortion. Locally, voters will also consider six questions proposed by Mayor Eric Adams’ commission, with some facing opposition from City Council members.
Despite the challenges in getting voters informed about lower-tier contests, many are taking their responsibilities seriously, with Tanya Campbell expressing her determination to give a Black woman a shot at power and Dave emphasizing the need for action on migrant issues.
Source: https://www.thecity.nyc/2024/11/04/1-million-new-yorkers-early-voting