Voters cast their ballots at lunchtime at the Lower Manhattan Community Middle School polling place at 81 New Street in the Financial District, on Election Day Tuesday, November 8.
Public ballot counters on the site tallied 709 ballots across four scanning machines as of 1:22 pm, and this is only a fraction of the number of ballots being cast today, with the expected high turnout this election cycle.
One polling worker noted that polling is traditionally heavy before and after regular working hours, with lunch hours increasing.
“Voting was so easy,” said college student Sarah Weurink, who voted at a polling place in the East Village. “This was my first time voting in person, so I was a little nervous about the logistics of all of this, but everyone was so helpful and made the process simple.”
“I’ve voted here for years,” said another voter at a polling place in downtown Brooklyn, who wished to remain anonymous. “There’s hardly any wait time, it’s a very efficient system with hardly any glitches — well, except for the ballot instructions this time. The instructions at the top of the ballot say to fill in the oval to the left of the candidate’s name. , but the oval on the ballot itself is over the names. Although I thought it was okay.”
covid-19 precaution For the NYC Board of Elections request a mask/face covering and maintain a distance of 6 feet when entering any Board of Elections facility. However, this does not apply to voters at polling places – they are encouraged, but not required, to wear a face covering.
“What I liked is that I see more people helping the election, it’s a wider range of ages and diversity,” said the anonymous Brooklyn voter. “I appreciate that, and I think they really care, they’re so dedicated.”
“I’m so proud to be walking around and seeing everyone with their ‘I Voted’ stickers,” Weuerink said. “It’s great to see Americans showing up for each other.”
Polling places in the five boroughs are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and voters can find their nearest polling place to the officer. Vote NYC Website. Once a voter reaches the designated address, the entrances are clearly marked with temporary signs and arrow stickers on nearby sidewalks.
Both individual and absentee ballots are being accepted today, with individual ballots filled out at designated booths on site and absentee ballots left in marked boxes supervised by polling personnel.
