Still Time To Vote! Common Cause/NY Issues Evening Update on Election Day Voting

NEW YORK, NY (11/05/2024) (readMedia)-- Today is Election Day! As voters continue to vote at poll sites throughout the state, Common Cause New York is fielding complaints from the 866-OUR-VOTE voter protection hotline and our nonpartisan poll monitors are assisting voters both on the ground and online. In total, we've received over 750 calls and reports.

What we've heard so far:

• In Queens, some voters experienced issues with ballot-scanning machines this morning. The Board of Elections has worked hard to address the issue and assured voters that every vote will be counted.
• In Suffolk County, a person was intimidating voters at a poll site in Stony Brook.
• Some voters have reported isolated instances of inappropriate electioneering at poll sites but we have not seen any significant issues.
• Voting has continued at a busy, steady pace throughout the day. Some voters have complained about excessively long lines across the state, but the Board of Elections is working to solve any delays in voting.

"With three hours left, we've seen some small issues at poll sites across the state, largely due to human error that were quickly fixed by the Board of Elections. Thanks in large part due to early voting and vote by mail, many New Yorkers were able to cast their ballots ahead of Election Day which relieved some of the stress on the local Boards. Our election protection volunteers are still out there continuing to keep an eye out for any issues and voters should continue to report any issues to our hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE!" said Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause New York.

Common Cause/NY has deployed hundreds of nonpartisan Election Protection monitors to busy poll sites in NYC and across the state. Our digital poll monitors are continuing to search social media platforms including Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to assist voters in real time. These nonpartisan Election Protection monitors are trained volunteers who can answer any questions that voters have and will be there to observe for any potential issues voters encounter. Learn more here.

General advice / reminders:

• Polling sites are open until 9:00 PM! Check your poll site before you head out as some have changed. Find your poll site In NYC or Outside of NYC here.
• Check your registration before you vote and check to see what's on your ballot before you go to make sure you receive the ballot you're entitled to:
  • In NYC: https://vote.nyc/page/understanding-ballot
  • Outside NYC: https://www.vote411.org/ballot
• Call with any questions or report any misconduct to 886-OUR-VOTE, a national election protection hotline.
• 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)!
• 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.
• Any voter can drop off their absentee or early mail ballot at their Election Day poll site. Want to mail it? Head to your post office to make sure it's postmarked with today's date! Don't forget to sign and date the absentee ballot envelope.
• 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.
• Affidavit ballots will be kept separate until after the election. If the voter's early mail or absentee ballot has been received, the affidavit ballot will not be counted. If the voter's early mail or absentee ballot has not been received, the affidavit ballot will be counted.