Brooklyn: Next Thursday You May Be Voting At a New Location

Brooklyn, NY – NYC Councilman David G. Greenfield is reminding residents that the primary election date was pushed back this year in deference to the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and that many residents have new polling sites this year. The primary election will be held on Thursday, September 13 this year, since the first Tuesday of the month, when it is traditionally held, falls on September 11. In addition, the New York City Board of Elections has changed the location of dozens of polling locations throughout the borough as a result of recent state redistricting and to meet handicap accessibility requirements.

“Nothing is more frustrating than taking the time to vote and being told that your polling site has changed. Despite the primary election being one week away, many residents are still unaware that their polling location has been changed after years of voting at the same location. Quite frankly, it makes zero sense, but unfortunately the Board of Election is accountable to no one,” Greenfield said of the board’s recent decision to move the life-long voting locations of many voters.

The Board of Elections was not required by law to hold hearings or to accept public comment on the new polling sites. Instead, impacted voters were individually notified of the change through a mailing to their home that is routinely ignored. That creates the potential for confusion on primary day when residents who were away for the summer or who did not receive the notice show up at their normal polling location. To prevent voters from showing up at the wrong site, Greenfield is urging everyone to confirm their polling site ahead of time by calling 1-866-VOTE-NYC, visiting www.vote.nyc.ny.us or by e-mailing your complete home address to [email protected], with “Brooklyn” listed in the message’s subject line.

“This year we have several important races on the ballot including a critical race for civil court judge in Brooklyn,” added Greenfield. “I’m not exaggerating when I say that voter turnout is expected to be very low because of the new Thursday, September 13th primary date. That means literally every vote will make a difference.”

Anyone with questions or concerns about the new primary date or polling site locations should contact Greenfield’s district office at (718) 853-2704. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in New York City on Primary Election Day, Thursday, September 13, 2012.

{Noam Amdurski-Matzav.com Newscenter}