Media Contact

media@nyclu.org, 212-607-3372

October 29, 2020

NEW YORK CITY - In the midst of the first week of early voting in New York history, New Yorkers are continuing to face hours-long lines to cast their ballots. The New York Civil Liberties Union issued the following statement from Executive Director Donna Lieberman calling for further extending early voting hours:

“In the most critical election of our lifetimes with historic levels of voter enthusiasm, New Yorkers continue to face long lines and unacceptably onerous conditions to vote. We commend the local Boards of Elections that haven taken some steps to extend voting hours at select sites. However, every local Board of Elections in New York that has experienced a wait time of more than 30 minutes at any of its early voting sites should expand early voting hours Friday through Sunday at all of its sites. The first early voting period for a presidential election in New York was bound to present challenges, but many of them were preventable and can still be remedied.”

“It’s important for everyone to know your rights: voters should remain vigilant at the polls, and those with any difficulty standing in line can always go to the front of the line and ask a pollworker for assistance. If you are in line after polls close, you have the right to cast your ballot, no matter how long it takes. If you need any form of assistance, call 866-OUR-VOTE for help.”

### 

The NYCLU’s partners at the national Election Protection Hotline provide assistance to voters before and after the election, and on Election Day. Call 866-OUR-VOTE for help. For more information, visit NYCLU’s page on Voting in New York During COVID-19, and further details can be found on our Voting Rights + Info page.