On Tuesday, Nov. 3, New York State residents will take part in the general election, known as the midterms. Voters will decide, among other races, who will serve as governor, attorney general and state comptroller, and will also choose their representatives in Congress and the state Legislature. Nine days of early voting begin Saturday, Oct. 24. That is also the deadline to register as a new voter.
In this year’s election, residents across the state will be able to cast ballots for candidates for governor, attorney general and comptroller. The ballots will also include candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives, the New York State Senate and the State Assembly. Depending on where they live, voters will also decide local and judicial offices. In the North Country region, which includes Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties, the races for Congress in the 21st District and for the state Senate in the 45th District will be important. Residents of New York City itself will also be able to vote on five proposed amendments to the City Charter.
Eligibility Requirements
To vote, you must be a registered voter. New York State does not allow same-day registration, so anyone who has not yet registered must complete the paperwork by Oct. 24 at the latest. Applications can be submitted online, in person at local boards of elections, or by mail. For documents sent by mail, what counts is the date the board receives them, not the date they were mailed. Voters can check their registration status and assigned polling place on the website of the New York State Board of Elections.
Early voting will run from Saturday, Oct. 24, through Sunday, Nov. 1. The procedure is the same as on Election Day: voters receive a ballot, mark their chosen candidates and then scan it in a voting machine. Outside New York City, voters can use designated early voting sites within their county, while in the five boroughs of the Big Apple each voter is assigned a specific site. Hours vary by location. On Election Day, Nov. 3, polling places will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Showing ID
In New York State, voters generally do not have to show identification at the polls. An exception applies to some first-time voters whose identity could not be verified during registration. In those cases, acceptable documents include, among others, a valid photo ID, a utility bill, a bank statement or an official document showing the voter’s name and address.
If you have problems at a polling place, you should speak to the person supervising the voting. Cases of voter intimidation and interference with participation in the election can be reported to the office of the New York State Attorney General at 866-390-2992 or through the online election complaint form.
For more information, visit the website of the New York State Board of Elections.
Editor: JŁ
