We have 55 days until the election and it's UBER important that we make sure our vote is counted. With mailboxes disappearing overnight and a health crisis running rampant, some of us are just not sure how voting is going to work. The primary elections this past June were a hot mess, and given what's at stake in November, we can’t afford to repeat it. This week, we're talking about voting in NYC and how to safely make your voice heard!
NY recently passed3 new election laws: The 1st lets you request absentee ballots more easily, including for the risk or fear of illness (hello, covid). The 2nd gives voters more time to request a ballot. The 3rd mandates that the Board of Elections count all ballots postmarked on or before Election Day and received by Nov 10—including ballots received on E-Day without a postmark. Plus, the BOE rolled out a new ballot tracking system that lets you track your absentee ballot request. Mark down these key dates:
—Apply for an absentee ballot- until October 19
—Mail your absentee ballot - until Nov 3
—Vote early - Oct 24 through Nov 1
— Vote on Election Day - Nov 3!
The BOE is a hot mess, the post office is a hot mess, life is a hot mess! At a time when low voter turnout could be catastrophic, these laws will hopefully make it easier for peeps to vote in this strange time—and we need you to vote (all the way down the ballot line) now more than ever. For the June primaries, one fifth of NY voters had their mail-in ballots disqualified for one reason or another (!). Plus, the GOP is currently working overtime to suppress your vote.This is no time to procrastinate—so if you're planning to vote by mail, request your ballot ASAP! And if you can, it’s highly encouraged that you vote early and in person.
TL;DR—with such a trash BOE, we don't *love* vote by mail. If you are comfortable and healthy we rec voting in person.
—Make a plan to vote (seriously, get a time & date in in your iCal). Then send it to your friends and family and encourage them to do the same.
—Request an absentee ballot if you need to vote by mail.
—Is your poll worker usually a sweet senior citizen doing their civic duty? Yea, they cannot be out here in a pandemic. Become a poll worker.
—Want to learn more about voting rights and what you can do to GOTV? Keep your eyes peeled for our next Broad Room training!
