Thousands of New Yorkers Wait in Line Today to Cast Their Votes Early

By Yehudit Garmaise

New York City kicked off early voting on Shabbos. For the second year in a row, voters can cast their votes early until Nov. 1.

   The city has provided 27 early voting sites, but voters must ensure to only vote at their assigned sites, which can be found at findmypollsite.vote.nyc.

   The New York Post reported, according to the Board of Election, a total of 93,830 New Yorkers voted on Shabbos. In Brooklyn, 19,877 people waited in lines that were blocks-long outside sites like the Barclays Center to cast their votes.

  In Manhattan, where 19,223 voted today, more than 400 voters were lined up outside Madison Square Garden for an hour before its doors opened at 10am. The NYPD said that the lines had grown to 5,000 people by mid-afternoon.

  Also, yesterday, 14,928 people voted in Queens, 14,928 people voted in the Bronx, and 10,291 voters flocked to the pools in Staten Island.

   So far, at least 56 million Americans have already voted either in person or by mail, The Washington Post reported.

   Voting early is a great way to beat what may be even bigger crowds on Nov. 3, and also to avoid fears about absentee ballots not getting counted.

  Additionally, voters can bring their completed absentee ballots at any early polling site.    

     Voters who have voted in New York before do not need to provide identification to vote. First-time voters may need to provide ID, such as a current and valid photo ID, or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows names and addresses.

   In all voting sites, poll workers are required to wear masks, and masks will be provided to voters who need them. All voting sites have floor markers to help maintain social distancing and antiviral wipes are available, as needed.

   After filling out ballots, voters keep the pens they used, and voting machines will be cleaned regularly with antiseptic wipes.