Good Government Groups Ask Governor to Address Voting Issues (Updated)

On Saturday, a group called the Election Protection Coalition wrote to Governor Cuomo asking him to issue “an executive order allowing displaced New Yorkers who are unable to access their assigned polling station to be permitted to cast an affidavit ballot at polling places out of precinct and out of county.”

Such an order would provide persons who have been displaced by the storm, or who are unable to reach their normal polling place, to cast an affidavit ballot at a polling place outside of their normal election district or county.

The signatories on the letter include Common Cause/New York, League of Women Voters of New York, New York Public Interest Group (NYPIRG) and Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, among others.

New Jersey took a similar step over the weekend, allowing in-state voters to vote in the same manner as overseas and military voters.

In New York City, voters can go to this web site to find out if their polling place has changed.

If Governor follows through on their request, voters would to cast their votes in the Presidential and U.S. Senate races.  But depending on where they obtain their affidavit ballot, they might not be able to cast votes in down-ballot races, including for Congress and the State Legislature.

Update:  Gov. Cuomo announced that he will issue an Executive Order that will allow people displaced by the storm to vote by affidavit ballot anywhere in the state.

Also: The state Board of Election has established a toll-free number to assist voters who have questions about voting, poll site changes and absentee ballots. The number is 1-855-NYS-SANDY (1-855-697-7263).