Early Voting in NYC: A Record-Breaking 1.09 Million New Yorkers Cast Their Ballots
Near-Record Early Voting in NYC
Headed into Election Day, a near-record number of New Yorkers have already voted early. According to the city Board of Elections’ unofficial tally, 1,089,328 voters cast their ballots in the early voting period, which ran from October 26 to November 3. This number is just shy of the 1.1 million early voters who turned out in 2020, the first presidential election in which early voting was allowed in New York.
Efficient Early Voting Process
In 2024, the city opened 155 early voting sites, a significant increase from the 88 sites in 2020. By almost all accounts, voting proceeded efficiently and without delay. On Sunday alone, 149,319 New Yorkers voted early, the highest single-day early voting total in NYC history, according to the Board.
Election Day Expectations
Polls open on Election Day at 6 a.m. and close at 9 p.m. You can find your polling location, which may differ from your early voting site, here. The Board of Elections is predicting a busy day with some lines, and is offering an Election Day wait time map.
Voter Insights
Michelle Quimi, 31, who works at a charter school in The Bronx, was among early voters when she cast her ballot last week at the Justice Sonia Sotomayor Community Center. "I do work in the education system, so sometimes the polls during Election Day are, like, really packed, and I don’t want to miss a chance," she said.
Races to Watch
The races to watch in the five boroughs include several state-level contests in purple parts of the city that could see Republicans gain a bigger share of the heavily blue state legislature. However, educating voters attuned to the top of the ticket about those State Senate and Assembly races has been tough for candidates.
Local Ballot Questions
New Yorkers have flipped their ballots to find a series of six questions, one to change the state constitution and the rest to change the City Charter. Proposal 1, an amendment to strengthen anti-discrimination rights and enshrine the right to an abortion in the state, has faced major pushback from New York Republicans and right-leaning advocates.
Conclusion
As New Yorkers head to the polls on Election Day, the numbers suggest a strong turnout, with many voters already having cast their ballots. With a record-breaking number of early voters, it will be interesting to see how the rest of the city’s 1.5 million registered voters choose to exercise their right to vote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the deadline to vote in the 2024 election?
A: The early voting period has ended, and polls will be open on Election Day from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Q: How many early voters have cast their ballots in NYC?
A: According to the city Board of Elections, 1,089,328 voters have cast their ballots in the early voting period.
Q: How many early voting sites are open in NYC?
A: The city has opened 155 early voting sites, a significant increase from the 88 sites in 2020.
