Worth the Wait

October 24, 2020

Today was the first day for early voting here in NYC. Many who could hardly wait for this opportunity arrived at their polling site only to find out they’d have to wait a while longer. The lines outside two uptown early voting locations on W168 Street stretched around the block. The one at the Armory snaked up Ft Wash to W169th Street then east to Broadway even as the 4PM deadline to join it approached.

Across the stem at the Russ Berrie Medical Science Pavilion on St Nick voters who had arrived at noon were still waiting on line 3 hours later. At 3:30 BOE Line Managers began advising new arrivals to come back tomorrow. Those already on line could vote today even if it was past the official 4PM closing time when they finally got in. The line stretched twice around the block.

The Gazette spoke with voters while they waited on line to get inside the St Nick location. Sandra Thomas: “My experience regarding a first time early voter is wonderful. Though I have to wait over an hour thus far, I met new people we talked about whose in office and who needed to go. I sincerely don’t mind waiting because the reason is phonenomial change has to take place.”

Dylan Adams: “Today is my birthday. I want to vote on my birthday because it’s the best gift I can give myself.”

Patrick Oliver Jones: “I think 3 and a half hours to vote is a small price to pay for this important right. This is my first time to early vote and I’m grateful for the opportunity.”

Jamillah Davis Hernandez told the Gazette she took Michelle Obama‘s advice and brought a chair. “Amazing energy. Very reminiscent of 2008 when Obama was running. Everyone in good spirits and no NY’ers complaining.”

BOE Line Managers Rehnuma and Bernard were at their post on Audubon and 167th Street, keeping an eye on the line and the clock to make sure everyone on line got inside to vote. Bernard: “Your vote, your voice.” They came at 8AM and opened the doors to the earliest early voters up here at 10 o’clock.

Tamera T. (top photo) told the Gazette it only took her a minute to early vote today. How’d she do it? “Applied for my absentee ballot. Filled it out at home and dropped it off. So easy and so happy to vote.”

Remaining early voting hours:

Sunday, October 25, 2020	10 AM to 4 PM
Monday, October 26, 2020	7 AM to 3 PM
Tuesday, October 27, 2020	12 PM to 8 PM
Wednesday, October 28, 2020	12 PM to 8 PM
Thursday, October 29, 2020	10 AM to 6 PM
Friday, October 30, 2020	7 AM to 3 PM
Saturday, October 31, 2020	10 AM to 4 PM
Sunday, November 1, 2020	10 AM to 4 PM

Voters must vote at their assigned Early Voting Site. To locate your assigned site please visit findmypollsite.vote.nyc