Something you should NOT do on Election Day:
Do not ask to take off whole work day.
According to New York state election law – you’re only allowed 2 hours. Here’s the word from Ed Ryan, Democratic commissioner, Onondaga County Board of Elections:
“Technically your employers are supposed to allow you to get out to vote. Obviously, there are always people that take advantage of situations. But how many employers keep their employers working from 6 in the morning to 9 at night?” (Ed Ryan, Democratic commissioner, Onondaga County Board of Elections)
Here are some more “Don’ts” for Election Day. Election officials say there are absolutely no campaign:
- Hats
- Buttons
- Shirts
With any candidate’s name allowed 100 feet from any polls. Commissioner Ryan shows the boundary:
“This is what 100 feet looks like — from you to me is how far any politician, campaigner or any political button or sticker has to be from any polling place on November 4th.” (Ed Ryan, Democratic commissioner, Onondaga County Board of Elections)
If voters show up with politically incorrect clothing:
“We tell’em to go out the door, turn your clothes inside out and come on back. You can’t be wearing that stuff in here. We can’t allow people coming and walking in like billboards.” (Ed Ryan, Democratic commissioner, Onondaga County Board of Elections)
Also, do not try to use the new polling booths. They look fun – but they can take up to a half hour to cast a ballot. And they’re meant for the disabled, reminds volunteer Jillian Murray.
“It’s not the quickest way to vote and say a disabled person comes in ten minutes after you they have no other choice they have to sit there and wait.” (Jillian Murray, volunteer at the polls)
Don’t dawdle inside the voting booth. Election officials say casting a ballot should take about 6 minutes tops.
“If anyone is paying attention to what is going, regardless of your political persuasion, and you know the issues, you can be out of there in less than a minute.” (Ed Ryan, Democratic commissioner, Onondaga County Board of Elections)
Try to avoid voting gridlock. You can beat the rush by voting before 3 p.m.
Voting begins at 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. on November 4th.
For Democracywise, I’m Chloe Sommers.
(Chloe Sommers is a graduate student in broadcast journalism.)
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