Tech:NYC Digest: November 7

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Monday, November 7, 2022

Welcome back, and happy Election Day Eve! In today’s digest, we’re focusing on one message: vote! Below is a reminder of everything you need to know heading into tomorrow’s elections. We’ll be back with your regular programming tomorrow.

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Tomorrow will be a big day for New York, where the race between Gov. Kathy Hochul and Rep. Lee Zeldin shows signs of being one of the closest statewide races in at least two decades. (New York Times)

• Some experts say this year’s race for governor is a true toss-up — one poll in the last week has shown Hochul ahead by several percentage points, but another has shown Zeldin slightly ahead. (Crain’s New York Business)

• The penultimate deciding factor is, of course, turnout. THE CITY has an interactive that projects what previous voter activity suggests this time around. Explore the tool here.

• If everyone who voted in 2020 voted with the same party this time, Hochul wins. But if, for example, 38% of those who voted for Biden in previous elections stay home, Zeldin wins.

More than 430,000 NYC residents (and almost 1.2 million people statewide) cast their votes during the early voting period.

• Those numbers are a sharp drop-off from 2020, a presidential election year when voter participation is typically higher, but significantly higher than the same period of the 2021 mayoral election. (NY1)

HERE’S WHAT TO KNOW:

When are polls open? Polls are open tomorrow from 6am to 9pm. Check your poll location here. Tomorrow is also the deadline to postmark or dropoff an absentee ballot at a poll site.Can I vote at the polls tomorrow if I requested an absentee ballot? Yes you can, but if you requested an absentee ballot and decided to vote in person instead, you will be given an affidavit ballot instead of being able to use a polling machine. More on that rule here.What am I voting on? In addition to the race for governor, several district races in New York — including three in the Hudson Valley and those in Long Island — are seen as key to ensuring Democrats maintain control of the House of Representatives. (City & State)

In other statewide races: Sen. Chuck Schumer, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli are all running for reelection.

State Senate and Assembly seats are also on the ballot. Get a preview of your sample ballot here to see who’s running in your local district.What about the ballot proposals? Yes, don’t forget to flip your ballot! Voters statewide will vote to approve the Environmental Bond Act of 2022, a proposal to allow New York to borrow up to $4.2 billion through a bond issuance to fund projects related to climate change and clean energy.

Voters in NYC will also decide on three more proposals, including: 

• To adopt a “statement of values” to the City Charter that emphasizes justice and equity;

• To create a racial equity office and require citywide plans to address racial equity;

• To change the way the city calculates the “real cost of living” for residents.

Can I take time off work to vote?

New York state law mandates that employers provide at least two hours of paid time off to those who otherwise do not have sufficient time to vote during their polling location hours.

What if I’m turned away or having other problems at my poll site?

Call the New York Election Hotline at 1-800-771-7755.

IN OTHER READING:

• Where do Hochul and Zeldin stand on big policy issues affecting New York? (City & State)

• What’s at stake in the NY governor’s race? A conversation with New York Times editorial board member Mara Gay (Gothamist)

• Officials warn some election results may not be known right away (NY1)

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