New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced that the Attorney Generals Office will make its Election Protection Hotline available to voters during New Yorks first early voting period, beginning on October 26, and lasting until November 03. Voters that experience problems casting early ballots, can report issues to the Attorney Generals Office from 09:00 a.m. until 06:00 p.m. each day of the early voting period, by calling 800-771-7755 or e-mailing election.hotline@ag.ny.gov.
“Voting is one of our most basic democratic rights, so we must do everything in our power to protect that right,” said Attorney General James. “Early voting is a commonsense measure that will provide greater accessibility and convenience to New Yorkers across the state and ensure that they have ample time to cast their ballot and make their voices heard. We are opening our Election Protection Hotline every day of early voting to protect every New Yorkers fundamental right and ensure our first early vote is a successful one. I urge all New Yorkers to vote early.”
This election will offer New Yorkers their first opportunity to vote early. Starting tomorrow, Saturday, October 26 through Sunday, November 03, 2019 registered voters in New York will be able to cast a ballot in-person at certain designated poll sites.
Each county Board of Elections will make one or more sites available to registered voters to cast ballots early. Those poll sites will only open for certain hours each day. To find details about early voting poll sites and the hours that those poll sites will be open, New Yorkers can check the website of their county Board of Elections here.
Importantly, voters residing in New York City or in the counties of Westchester or Orange have been assigned particular early voting poll sites by their local Board of Elections. As a result, in order to cast an effective early vote, voters must vote at the particular polling site assigned to them. Voters in Albany County have also been assigned a particular polling site, but these voters have the option of casting a ballot at the Albany County Board of Elections office. Voters in every other county of the state have the benefit of voting early at any early voting poll site in their county.
Additionally, there are several other key changes in election law that were enacted this year, which will be in effect throughout New York State. Most importantly, registered voters who have moved from one county in New York to another county within the state may now cast a ballot during early vote or on Election Day at their new residence without resubmitting an entirely new registration form. This can be done by filing out an affidavit ballot at their new residences local poll site. Voters can contact their local Board of Elections if they need help locating their new polling site or reach out to the New York Attorney Generals Office by calling 800-771-7755 or e-mailing election.hotline@ag.ny.gov.
The New York Attorney Generals Office has operated the voter access hotline since November, 2012. During previous elections, the office fielded hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of complaints from voters across the state, and worked with local election officials and others to address issues. In 2017, in part from information received from an Election Hotline, the Attorney Generals Office sued and secured a consent decree with the New York City Board of Elections regarding voter registration purges.
The Election Day Hotline is part of the New York Attorney Generals Office ongoing effort to reduce barriers to voting. Attorney General James reminds all registered voters that they have the right to accessible elections. In addition, all registered voters have the right to vote free from coercion or intimidation, whether by election officials or any other person.
The New York Attorney Generals Office will receive and respond to election complaints relating to any of the statutes that the office enforces. The Attorney Generals Election Day Hotline is being coordinated by Assistant Attorneys General Conor Duffy and Ajay Saini of the Civil Rights Bureau, which is led by Bureau Chief Jessica Clarke. The Chief Deputy Attorney General for the Social Justice Division is Meghan Faux.
