Friday 4 November 2016

Voting in NYC: Where to go, what not to do, and more Election Day intel

Everything you need to know before the election on November 8

This is it, folks: We’re just a few days away from the presidential election on November 8, and we’re going to assume that by now, you already know who you’re going to vote for in the Presidential race. But that’s not the only vote you should know about on Tuesday: Senator Chuck Schumer is fighting to keep his seat in the U.S. Senate, and there are a number of other elected officials whose jobs are on the line.

But let’s be real, people will mostly be focusing on the race between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, both of whom are due to be in New York City on election night. (HRC is allegedly already planning fireworks if she wins; Trump, inexplicably, is not holding his event at one of his buildings.)

Of course, before the results come in, New Yorkers have to actually get out and vote—and here, you’ll find everything you need to know about voting on November 8, from when polls are open to what not to do in the voting booth.

When to vote

Polls open at 6 a.m. and will remain open until 9 p.m. And yes, you’re guaranteed the right to take time from work to vote—New York state law states that workers who cannot take time outside of work hours to vote may take up to two hours to visit their local polling spot. (It also can’t hurt to familiarize yourself with the NYC voters’ bill of rights beforehand.)

Be warned: If early voting in other states is any indication, there will likely be long lines at the polls on Tuesday. Plan accordingly!

Where to vote

If you’re unsure of where your polling place is located, fret not: there are a few ways to find out where you need to go. The website Voting.NYC has a handy tool that lets you input your address to find out where your polling site is; Google also has a handy widget that lets you find that information, which you can do below:

What to do if you’re harassed while voting

It’s not exactly a pleasant thing to think about, but considering the fervor surrounding this election, there’s a chance—however minuscule—that there may be instances of voter intimidation on Tuesday. The New York City Civil Liberties Union has you covered in that case: There’s a guide to your rights as a voter, along with recommendations on what to do should those rights be threatened, or harassment happen, while going to the polls.

One crucial thing to know: “The NYCLU’s partner the national Election Protection Hotline provides assistance to voters before and after the election, and on Election Day. Call 866-OUR-VOTE for help.”

There’s also a detailed guide on what to do if you’re harassed or intimidated from 866-OUR-VOTE’s website.

What to do with your phone down while you’re voting

Put it away! As ridiculous as this particular rule may seem, it is a rule nonetheless: selfies in the ballot booth are verboten. Save the selfie for later, once you’ve gotten your cool “I voted!” sticker and won’t run afoul of the law.



from
http://ny.curbed.com/2016/11/4/13525074/election-day-voting-nyc-guide

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