Where to vote in New York, what time the polls open and how to mark your ballot

November 5 is Election Day. Here is a basic guide to voting in New York

New Yorkers participate in early voting in Brooklyn on October 29, 2024.Spencer Platt (Getty Images)

Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz face former president Donald Trump and Senator J. D. Vance in an election that most polls show is nearly tied. In New York, however, the race is not as close. According to the most recent polls, Harris is leading in the state with 57% while Trump has only 40% support. However, nothing is decided until the final vote count after November 5, when registered citizens who have not voted by mail will go to the polls to cast their ballots. Here is the most important information to be aware of on the day in New York State.

Where to vote in New York?

The polling place for each person is determined by their residential address. New Yorkers can find it on the New York State Board of Elections website, Elections.ny.gov. They can also search the election-focused site Vote.org or the U.S. Election Assistance Commission website. In many areas, polling places are located in public buildings such as schools, community centers, churches, or municipal facilities. Voting locations should be confirmed in advance, as these sites may change from previous years due to school schedules, building availability, or other factors.

What time do polling places open?

According to official data, the polls for the election will open at 6:00 a.m. and close at 9:00 p.m. It is important to remember that these hours only apply to the New York electoral college and not to other states. For example, in California, polls open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 a.m. In either case, if someone is in line when the polls close, they can still cast their vote as long as they were in line before the official closing time.

What documents do I need?

According to Vote.org, people who have already voted in New York, registered in person, or presented an ID at the time of registration do not need to show another ID to vote. If this is their first time voting in New York, they have registered to vote by mail, or did not provide an ID at the time of registration, they should be sure to bring a copy of their photo ID or other acceptable form of identification in New York, such as a driver’s license, state government issued ID (the IDNYC), a U.S. passport, or a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or other government document that shows their name and address when they vote.

Voters fill out their ballots at a polling station in Manhattan, N.Y., Tuesday, April 2, 2024.Seth Wenig (AP)

What are the choices on the New York ballot?

In addition to the presidential race, New York’s congressional races are also crucial, especially in key House districts. Voters will also decide on a U.S. Senate seat, with Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand, currently in office, facing Republican challenger Mike Sapraicone and Diane Sare of the LaRouche Party. In addition, on the state’s ballot is Proposition 1, or the Equal Rights Act, a measure to enshrine rights related to abortion access in New York law.

Several amendments, which could reshape city government, will also be voted on. Proposition 2 proposes to expand the authority of the Sanitation Department to include dumpster requirements. Proposition 3 focuses on fiscal responsibility, requiring the New York City Council to conduct a fiscal analysis prior to hearings or votes and update budget deadlines. Proposition 4 would increase public notification prior to City Council votes on key public safety laws affecting the NYPD, NYC Fire Department and Department of Corrections. Proposition 5 seeks to improve capital planning to ensure that the city’s facility needs are addressed annually, while Proposition 6 would establish a Chief Business Diversity Officer to support minority- and women-owned businesses and assign responsibility for permits to film footage.

How is the ballot filled out?

According to the State Board of Elections, different voting machines are used in these elections. The Clear Ballot is a system that allows people with disabilities to vote on a paper ballot. The Dominion allows doing the same privately, and marks the paper ballot. The ES&S is a system with a ballot marking device and can also scan ballots. The Hart Verity also marks the vote on a paper ballot. All of these machines allow you to make selections electronically and then print a ballot that can be sent for tabulation. The ballot can be reviewed before it is mailed to ensure that it reflects the correct choices.

It is important to follow the voting instructions to the letter, as it is easy to make mistakes when filling out the ballots, especially if it is done under pressure. It is also advisable to read the ballot twice because some measures may be worded in a complex manner. Similarly, if you think there has been a mistake in marking the options, you can request a replacement ballot.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAÍS USA Edition

More information

Archived In