Election and Voting Rights Experts Hold Briefing On What To Expect Ahead of Early Voting

ALBANY, NY (10/16/2026) (readMedia)-- With just several days until early voting begins, election experts and voting rights advocates at Common Cause New York, League of Women Voters of New York State, NAACP New York State Conference, and Hands Off NYC, held a virtual press briefing to explain how New York's elections work, debunk mis- and dis-information about the voting process, and outline the steps organizations are taking across the state to ensure every voter can cast their ballot without issue.

Watch a recording of the event here.

View slides from the event attached.

"New York's elections are run by and for New Yorkers, and they will go on just as our Election Law requires. As always, voters still have three ways to vote and we encourage every voter to make a plan to do so beforehand. Do not let the misinformation deter you from voting, and remember to always check information you see with official Boards of Elections sources or call the 1-866-OUR-VOTE hotline when in doubt. Your vote will be counted, so get out there and make your voice heard!" said Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause New York.

"Voters have rights and we want every New Yorker to know them. If you've voted in New York before, you don't need an ID. If you're in line when the polls close, you can still vote. If there's a question about your registration, you can vote by affidavit ballot. Accurate results take time after the polls close, and that patience protects eligible voters from being disenfranchised. Make a plan and know your rights. Your vote matters!" said Erica Smitka, Executive Director of the League of Women Voters of New York State.

"The NAACP New York State Conference is proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with partners like Common Cause New York and the League of Women Voters of New York State to ensure that New Yorkers' voices are heard this Election season. From early voting through Election Day, our coalition will be active on the ground, with hundreds of trained volunteers to monitor poll sites, troubleshoot issues, and assist voters in real time. We've fought hard to secure the right to vote. The work ahead is about supporting our neighbors as they exercise that right. If you run into any problems at the polls, your community has your back," said Chris Alexander, Executive Director, NAACP New York State Conference.

"New Yorkers are tough and we are loud - we're cutting through the noise, lies, and misinformation to encourage our friends, families, and neighbors to go out and vote this November. Autocrats are attempting to squash our confidence, and we won't let them. We are prepared to show up and show out before, during, and after the election to ensure our voices are heard and our votes are counted. If the Trump Administration tries to intimidate voters or mess with our elections here or anywhere in the country, we won't let it slide. We are ready to hit the streets to protect our votes. You don't mess with our elections unless you want to mess with New Yorkers," said Hae-Lin Choi, co-director of Hands Off NYC.

The briefing comes as the federal government pushes disinformation intended to scare and confuse voters about when, how and if they can vote. Despite disinformation about the voting process, New Yorkers still have three ways to vote:

• By mail:
  • Registered voters can request a mail ballot online or by mail until October 24, or in-person until November 2
  • Mail ballots must be postmarked by November 3 to count
  • Common Cause New York recommends mailing ballots by October 24, or consider dropping them off in-person instead
• Early, in person:
  • Saturday, October 24 until Sunday, November 1
  • Early voting sites differ from Election Day poll sites, so check yours before you go at www.voteearlyny.org
• On Election Day:
  • Tuesday, November 3
  • Polls open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., just as always
  • Click here to find your poll site In NYC or Outside of NYC.

For additional details about important election and voting deadlines, visit the State Board of Elections website. New York City residents can visit the NYC Board of Elections website for details about important election and voting deadlines. Any voters who are unsure of whether they are already registered can check their registration status online here.

The Facts About New York's Elections

• New Yorkers run New York's elections - for New Yorkers. The federal government has no role in our elections, and poll workers are still your friends and neighbors.
• Only eligible voters can vote in our elections. Registration checks are very thorough, and verify voter eligibility through their drivers' license or social security and more.
• Voting by mail is still available to voters who need it, and voters can track their ballot at every step of the way.
• New York does not require voter ID in most cases. If you've voted in New York before, you never need to show ID - no matter who asks.

If voters are unsure about what they see online, or have any questions about deadlines or where they're supposed to vote, they should rely on official sources. Check with local Boards of Elections or the New York State Board of Elections website.

Additional Resources

To combat misinformation about New York's elections, the New York State Board of Elections will share important updates about upcoming deadlines and accurate information about how our elections are safe and secure. To keep up with the latest and most factual information, New Yorkers should follow the New York State Board of Elections social channels on X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. New York City residents can get up-to-date election information from the New York City Board of Elections at www.vote.nyc and by following the NYC Board on X/Twitter.

When in doubt, call 1-866-OURVOTE: a free hotline of legal personnel can talk you through it from 7 am to 8 pm. Spanish, Arabic and Asian languages support are also available via the Election Protection website. Additional language support is available at the following numbers:

• 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682) – Spanish language hotline
• 844-YALLA-US (844-925-5287) – Arabic language hotline
• 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683) – Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Bangla, Hindi, Urdu and Tagalog hotline
• 301-818-VOTE (301-818-8683) – American Sign Language video call number