With the presidential polls just around the corner, most early voting is taking place in New York and New Jersey with Connecticut joining the bandwagon for the first time. In case you are thinking of casting your vote ahead of time, here is what you ought to know in order to ensure that you are ready and that your vote counts.
When does early voting end?
In New York and New Jersey, early voting opened nine days ahead of the elections, starting on Saturday, October 26, and will be held until Sunday, November 3. That means if you are looking to avoid the long queues on the Election Day, you can visit an early voting site over the weekend. There shall be no voting on Monday, November 4. On Tuesday, November 5, being an election day, polls will be open between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. in the states of Connecticut and New Jersey, and between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. in New York.
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A First for connecticut Vlvoters
For Connecticut, it’s a landmark year because for the first time in its history, the state has allowed early voting in the general election. In a bid to enhance participation among residents of Connecticut, it has been introduced a new early voting option that seeks to eliminate queues on election day as well as the risk of scheduling conflicts on the D-day. If you are staying in Connecticut, so that this is the first time you are experimenting with early voting, then brace yourself because Sunday, November 3, is the last time before the eleventh hour for you.
Where to vote
One important detail to keep in mind is that your early voting location may differ from your Election Day polling place. Before heading out, double-check the specific early voting sites in your area. Each county has designated locations that may be different from where you’ve voted in the past. If you’re unsure where to go, local government websites typically have up-to-date information on where each early voting location is set up.
Early voting in New York
In New York, counties have established a set schedule for early voting. Here’s a breakdown for Westchester County as an example of the hours you can expect:
- Saturday, October 26: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Sunday, October 27: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Monday, October 28: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Tuesday, October 29: 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Wednesday, October 30: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Thursday, October 31: 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Friday, November 1: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Saturday, November 2: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Sunday, November 3: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
This flexible schedule should make it easier for you to find a time that works within your day. Be aware, however, that hours may vary by county, so check local resources if you live outside of Westchester.
Election Day Reminders
Should you choose to postpone your voting until Election Day by all means, do not forget to check the polling location provided to you. The sites on Election Day are usually not the same as areas open for early voting, and an average of state variations in operational times occur. New York, on the other hand, will keep its polls open for longer, that is until 9 p.m. In contrast, New Jersey and Connecticut span their voting time until 8 p.m.
Additional tips for a smooth voting experience
- Provide Identification: Although the rules concerning identification can change from one state to another, it is advisable to arrive with at least one form of ID especially if you are voting in a new district for the first time.
- Check registration details again: After moving around or if you have not voted for a long time, check if your registration is still valid. The verification process can be conducted online by visiting the election website of your state.
- Become informed about the candidates and measures: Avoid wasting time and feel at ease with your selection by researching who and what you have to vote for in advance. Voters efficiently cast their votes when they come with a sample ballot or prepared list.
- Factor in more time due to possible queues: Early voting, as the name suggests, is meant to get rid of the long lines on Election Day, but the truth is that certain places may still have queues especially on the weekends or when it is about to close. You can help ensure a smooth process by arriving the intended location ahead of time and being ready to sit it out if necessary.
Why vote early?
In fact, early voting is recommended for a number of reasons, most notably when you are quite busy, or do not want to endure the long queues that characterize the exercise on the actual voting day. For instance, there may be unforeseen complications on the Election Day itself – a work related emergency, say, or an unexpected visitor – which suffices to make it impossible for you to go to the polls, voting ahead of time makes it easier with such scenarios. Furthermore, voting early, helps improve the efficiency of the electoral process as a whole so that there are fewer demands on poll workers on that day of the election and it is much more organized for all people concerned.
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Final thoughts
Whichever candidate or issues you care most about, you can ensure that your opinion is heard with comparatively less effort by early voting. If you are located in New York or New Jersey or in Connecticut, early voting allows you to fit the voting process into your schedule and even vote before the official voting week begins.
Use this chance to vote whenever it fits your schedule, and ensure that you make it in time for this important election.
