Voting Rights Groups Encourage New Yorkers to Get out the Early Vote

Saturday, October 28th is the first day of Early Voting in New York and the only day a new voter can register to vote in person at a poll site and cast their ballot on the same day. This “Golden Day” happened thanks to advocates who fought to change the voter registration deadline from 25 days to 10 days before an election – which establishes just one day when New Yorkers can both register and vote in-person.

Early Voting begins on Saturday October 28th and ends on Sunday November 5th. Election Day is Tuesday, November 7. New Yorkers will cast their vote for different local races depending on where they are registered. All New Yorkers will vote on two ballot proposals, as well as local elections happening in their area. New York City residents will also vote for their City Council Member this year due to the redistricting process that happens every ten years. Find your Early Voting poll site here.

“Common Cause New York is encouraging all New Yorkers who can vote to get out early and take advantage of Saturday’s Golden Day if they are new voters who need to register,” said Susan Lerner, executive director of Common Cause New York. “Early voting is a gamechanger for New Yorkers who no longer have to choose between getting to work or exercising their democratic rights. Now, let’s get out that early vote!”

“We know early voting is an effective measure that helps New Yorkers coordinate their daily obligations with their vital right to vote,” said Lourdes M. Rosado, President and General Counsel of LatinoJustice PRLDEF. “More than half of Latino New Yorkers are eligible to vote, and we encourage those who have not yet registered to take advantage of the Golden Day to make sure their voice will be heard, in this electoral cycle and beyond.”

“The YMCA of Greater New York is a fierce advocate for voting access, and we are thrilled that new voters can take advantage of the “Golden Day” on Saturday, October 28,” said Sharon Greenberger, President & CEO of the YMCA of Greater New York. “Registering and showing up to vote are powerful ways that people can make their voices heard and strengthen their communities. New Yorkers fought hard for early voting and we hope to see great turnout for this election.”

“It is so important that people in our communities come out and vote early if they can, so that our voices are heard as we push to make New York a place where all people have the freedom to thrive. ” Perla Silva, Civic Engagement Coordinator at Make the Road Action, said, “Working class, low income, and immigrant communities are standing up for truly affordable housing, jobs that pay a living wage, and much more in this election.”

“This election, we must show up in numbers and raise our voices in unison to say that we demand representatives who support a safe, stable place to live, full health care, and excellent education,” said Karen Wharton, Democracy Coalition Coordinator, Citizen Action of New York. “As New Yorkers we have multiple options to exercise our right to vote, so choose a time that works for you, and then go vote because when we vote, we win. Let’s win big this election.”

Here’s what to know about Early Voting:

Our elections are safe and secure.

• 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.
• 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.
• Find your poll site In NYC or Outside of NYC here. Hours depend on your early voting site so check before you go!
• Voters can expect to know the final results in a few weeks. On election night, preliminary results include votes cast in person (either early or on Election Day) and valid absentee ballots received prior to election day. Thanks to a new, excellent law, voters can correct their absentee ballot over a small mistake, like forgetting their signature. The BOE contacts voters about the opportunity to fix their mistake, and ballots are due back by mid November.
• 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.