It's Election Day In NY! Here's What To Expect

NEW YORK, NY (02/13/2024) (readMedia)-- Today is Election Day for special elections in New York's 3rd Congressional District and the Bronx's 77th Assembly District. Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause/NY, is available throughout the day for comment.

New York's 3rd Congressional District includes parts of Queens and northern Long Island. Bronx's Assembly District 77 covers parts of the Claremont, Highbridge and Morris Heights neighborhoods. Only voters who live within the districts can vote for their new representatives. Find your poll site in NYC or outside of NYC here.

"Today, New Yorkers head to the polls in two special elections on Long Island, Queens and the Bronx. If any voter runs into any problemz on the way to vote or at the polls, they should report it to 1-866-OURVOTE where nonpartisan legal personnel are available to answer questions throughout the day and night," said Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause New York. "Democracy takes time and every vote counts. That's why final results will not be available the same day. Accurate and fair election results are worth waiting for."

The state Legislature passed and Governor Hochul signed new legislation that allows New Yorkers the opportunity to vote by mail. The deadline to return these ballots is today, February 13th. Voters can track their ballot once they have requested one here.

Once polls close, voters can expect to know the final results in the next few days. Election night results will include all ballots cast on Election Day and during early voting, as well as valid absentee and vote by mail ballots that have been received throughout early voting. However, election night results are not complete. The deadline for receipt of absentee and vote by mail ballots mailed and postmarked no later than February 13 is Tuesday, February 20th and these ballots will continue to be counted as they are received. Until the results are final, we caution against candidates declaring victory too early in close races.

Before heading to vote, Common Cause/NY encourages all voters to familiarize themselves with their rights, and to report any misconduct to 886-OUR-VOTE, a national election protection hotline. Here's what to know:

• Our election system is safe and secure.
• Polling sites are open 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM on Election Day. Do not leave your poll site without casting your ballot, whether that means placing it into a scanner or voting by affidavit ballot (also known as a provisional ballot)!
• When in doubt, call 1-866-OURVOTE: a free hotline of legal personnel can talk you through it. Spanish, Arabic and Asian languages support are also available via the Election Protection website.
• You have the right to vote free of harassment. No matter who asks, you never need to show an ID in order to vote if you've voted in New York before. If someone asks for your ID, no matter who it is, simply let them know that you are not required to show ID in New York, except in limited circumstances for first time voters.
• Due to a change in election law, New Yorkers can no longer cast a ballot on a voting machine if they have been sent an absentee or vote by mail ballot and then decide to vote in-person. Voters will be directed to vote via affidavit ballot instead.