Thousands of New Yorkers flooded polling stations and waited for hours in long lines on Saturday, the first day of early voting, with many saying they had left because they feared their votes would not be counted if they tried to vote by mail.
Lines lengthened for blocks outside polling stations, including the Barclays Center in Brooklyn and the Armory in Washington Heights, as election officials tried to calm hateful voters by creating defects in electronic poll machines.
Obstacles for voters and voting activists on the first day of polling reflected the challenges of holding controversial presidential elections in the midst of an epidemic. But many remained unaffected by the delay and the coronavirus.
Lines for early voting at the Rewandrew Friedman House in the Bronx, around the Grand Concourse and around the corner, down 166th Street to the east.
The epidemic was on the minds of most people in line. Many wore face masks, and some of them were even on gloves. They tried to spread out in a space of at least six feet, but it was difficult to maintain social distance in the more narrow parts of the street.
Brian and Washington Shington, 60, said revenge for voting early exceeded the risk of infection. Mr. Washington said, “I am one of those who really thinks this is our most important election today.” “I really believe this is an election of the soul of the country.”
Barbara Ali, 75, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, showed up to cast her vote at 6:50 a.m. She called the city’s information line 311 because she thought polling would open at 1 a.m. They didn’t stay for another three hours, but He decided to wait.
Retired city worker of Park Slope Ms. “This is the most important election of the century,” Ali said. “This is icing on a cake. I don’t want to call names, but we know what’s going on.”
She was thinking of voting absent because of the coronavirus, but she said, “Sliding it into the computer is the way I wanted to go.”
In fact, many of the recent tragedies involving the mail-in ballot are likely to make voters turn out on Saturday. Some said they did not believe their votes would be counted if they did not show up face to face, and many did not want to wait until election day.
Continue with Election 2020
Late last month, as many as 100,000 voters in Brooklyn received absentee ballots with false names and addresses after a fire broke out in a city council election.
This is the first presidential election during which New Yorkers are allowed to vote as early as possible. The state legislature approved early voting in 2019, after Democrats took control, making New York one of the last states to adopt it.
New York election attorney Sara Steiner, who has represented candidates seeking public office, said Saturday that it is not uncommon to hear reports of long lines and other problems during the first day of early voting.
Throughout the day, photos on social media showed New Yorkers descending on polling stations in the city and across the state. Those images were a sign of a better turnout than expected, M.S. Steiner said.
“There are always obstacles. This is an event for many, and it’s a wonderful sign of civic engagement, “Ms. Steiner added later.” I’m glad to see it. “
Early voting lines tend to shrink after the first day so voters should expect a shorter wait as early voting continues, Mr Steiner said.
Voters will have until November 1 for their early voting. The goal of the nine-day early polling period is to increase voter turnout by making voting more convenient. Depending on the day, early polling sites will open as early as 7 a.m. and will remain open late this weekend and until 8 p.m.
Record voting was expected from nine days of preliminary voting. An estimated 3.3 million of New York City’s 7 million active voters are likely to vote by mail or in person.
Unlike many other states and the rest of New York, where people can vote at any early polling station in their county, New York City voters are only allowed to vote early at designated locations.
The city announced that Madison Square Garden and Barclays Center would be used as polling stations for the first time, but voters would not be able to vote there unless they were assigned.
The relocation has left many voters confused.
By the time Rebecca Jones, 38, arrived in Madison Square Garden for an early vote at 10:15 a.m., more than 600 people had lined up in front of her.
Ahead of June Primary in New York City, Mr. Jones cast his ballot early at a polling station about two blocks from where he lives in Hell Kitchen.
“I am confused as to why they made fun of so many people in one place. I think he is stupid, ”he said. “If it’s about the number of volunteers who run it, I’m all for it. But they have managed it before. So I’m not thrilled with it. “
More than a dozen police officers were deployed inside and outside Madison Square Garden, and the police department announced earlier in the week that at least one police officer would be deployed at the city’s early 88 early polling stations.
Chief Terrence A. Mohan said police were not aware of any specific threats directed at polling stations, but the department was expressing more resources for security than in the last election due to the contentious atmosphere surrounding the presidential election, Chief Terrence A. Mohan said. Mohan said.
On election day, 1,201 polling stations will be open, and officials will be on all of them, Chief Monah said.
“The public should have no fear, and come out and vote,” he added.
On Friday, Mayor Bill de Blasio, however, expressed concern about the early voting process during a meeting with MSNBC.
He said he expects intervention from President Trump’s voice supporters in poor and immigrant communities coming on election day. “We can’t have this,” Mr. de Blasio said.
The mayor said he plans to send hundreds of lawyers, city officials and volunteers to make sure New Yorkers can do whatever they want to vote fearlessly.
“We will do our best to protect the voters because you cannot intimidate and steal this election,” he said.
On Saturday, a small rally took place outside the Brooklyn Museum next to a voter snacking line.
State Senator Zelnor Marie, a Democrat, delights voters.
“The reports of the demise of democracy are very exaggerated,” Mr Myri said.
City Council Majority Leader Laurie Combo echoed that sentiment. She said she was shocked by the line of voters at the Barclays Center. “I think it’s fire. Shout out to everyone who left early this morning. ”
Louis Ferry-Sadurna and Elisha Brown contributed to the reporting
