Five Things to Know Before You Vote This Midterm
Photo by Greg Willis I Creative Commons Image
As midterm elections approach, many voters have questions about the candidates running, where to vote and how to vote. Here are five things you should know before going to the polls.
1. How to Register to Vote in New York
Residents of New York (those having lived in the state, county or city for at least 30 days before the election) can register to vote in New York. The deadline for voter registration was Oct. 14, and the deadline to request an absentee ballot was Oct. 24. Both of these deadlines have passed for the 2022 midterm, but future elections are just as important as the impending midterm election. You should prioritize registering early if you missed the deadlines this year. The next federal election cycle is due for 2024 so registering the summer of is best for voters who want to be ahead of the deadline.
2. Where to Vote in New York
If you are registered to vote in New York, you must vote at your indicated polling site which is determined by your address. You can find your polling site on findmypollsite.vote.nyc. If you cannot go to the polling center on Election Day, Nov. 8., between 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., you can cast your ballot early by heading to vote.nyc
3. What to Bring with You on Election Day
When heading to the polling station on Election Day, make sure you have your voter ID, bring a snack in case of long lines and schedule your day in accordance with the average time it takes to make it through the line and vote.
New Yorkers can expect anywhere from a 20-minute to an hour-long wait, depending on the time of day, according to polling data from The New York Times. Typically, there are longer wait times at the end of the morning and continuing late past evening. If you are looking to avoid a long line, early voting or arriving at the polling station right when they open is your best option.
4. How to Find Candidate Platforms
There are multiple sites that offer services that examine specific candidates and their platforms from an analytical approach. One of the best sites for this information is 411vote.org because of its easy-to-use software interface. Simply enter your address to find out all the local and national information you need on your candidates to make a wise and informed decision ahead of the midterm.
5. How to Vote with an Absentee Ballot
If you can’t vote at your polling site on Election Day you can vote with an absentee ballot. There are three ways to register. You can register online by going to your state’s government website. You can download your registration application and mail it to your local Board of Elections office. Or you can also fill out the registration application in person at your local Board of Elections office and submit it.
Colton Taussig is a freshman at The King's College majoring in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics. He is an avid film-lover and takes great pride in his home state of Missouri.