Common Cause/NY Launches Nonpartisan Election Protection Program Ahead of Election Day in NYC

11.6.2023 / 11:18 AM

As voters gear up to vote on Election Day this coming Tuesday, Common Cause/NY will launch a nonpartisan election protection program at poll sites in southern Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx. Volunteers will serve as either stationary monitors or as roving poll monitors to assist voters with urgent questions and ensure poll sites are taking adequate safety and security precautions.

During the past few election cycles, Common Cause/NY has deployed over 200 volunteers to help voters throughout the city during the early voting period and on Election Day. This year, monitors will be stationed at poll sites in Council Districts with contentious races in southern Brooklyn (Districts 43, 47, and 48), Queens (District 20) and in the Bronx (District 13). Roving poll monitors will be assigned several poll locations during their shifts.

“Safe and fair elections are our highest priority, and just like years prior, our nonpartisan election protection team is on the ground to help voters exercise their rights, report illegal activity, and answer any questions,” said Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause/NY. “We encourage any New Yorker to approach our volunteers or call 866-OUR-VOTE and get out the vote!”

Common Cause/NY has hosted three trainings for volunteers ahead of Tuesday’s Election Day, which included information on New York election law, frequent voter questions and experiences, and de-escalation tactics. Poll monitors are responsible for ensuring voters are properly guided on voting protocol, reporting results, and troubleshooting any problems that may arise at the poll site.

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 before you vote:

  • Our elections are safe and secure.
  • Polling sites are open 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM on Election Day. Make sure to find your poll site In NYC or Outside of NYC here.
  • 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.
  • 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 ballot and then decide to vote in-person. Voters will be directed to vote via affidavit ballot instead.