As Election Day approaches, early voting kicked off in New York City at 8 a.m. on October 26. Voters can now cast their ballots, choosing between Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and former Republican President Donald Trump. In addition to selecting a representative for their congressional district, New York City voters will also elect state senators and assembly members, as well as weigh in on six proposed constitutional amendments.
According to a recent Siena College poll, Harris holds a 19-point lead over Trump statewide, while her advantage in New York City is even more pronounced at 48 points. However, Trump shows strong performance in the suburbs, where Harris’s lead narrows to just 5 points, with 52% for Harris and 47% for Trump.
Early voting runs from October 26 through November 3, with varying hours: from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the week.
Voters can find their polling locations by visiting the NYC Board of Elections website at findmypollsite.vote.nyc. By entering their home address, they can locate both early voting sites and polling places for Election Day. It’s important for voters to check the details carefully, as their early voting location may differ from their Election Day site.
Registered voters don’t need to show ID to cast their ballots, except for those who failed to provide identification during registration; these individuals will need to present a valid New York ID for their first vote, such as a driver’s license, utility bill, bank statement, government check, payroll check, or other government documents showing their name and address.
On their ballots, New York City voters will also see candidates for Congress, as well as state senate and assembly positions for their district.
Additionally, voters will be asked to make choices on six ballot propositions. The first proposal aims to amend the state constitution to include abortion protections and prevent discrimination based on race, nationality, age, disability, and other factors.
Proposals two through six focus on amending the City Charter. The second proposal addresses street cleanliness and public spaces, advocating for expanded powers for the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) to enforce trash disposal and increase regulation of street vendors. Proposals three through six pertain to local financial accountability, public safety legislation, urban infrastructure, and support for minority- and women-owned businesses.
Voter registration for this crucial election in New York City closed on October 26.
