A week after Superstorm Sandy, New York and New Jersey are still very much in recovery mode and hard hit areas are still living without power with thousands still residing in shelters. With elections on Tuesday Nov. 6 many residents are unable to get to polling stations due to the devastation of Sandy. In light of this, New York and New Jersey have made changes to their voting process.
In New York City polling stations have been moved to areas with electricity. CBS News reported that New Jersey voters that have been displaced by Sandy can vote by fax or email or vote on a provisional ballot anywhere in the state.
CBS reported, "In New York City, the board of elections early this morning listed the 60 polling places that will be relocated because of Sandy. Twenty-eight of them are in Queens and 24 are in Brooklyn. Three polling sites in Manhattan and three in the Bronx will be relocated, as will two on Staten Island.
In New York, if less than 25 percent of registered voters turn out on Election Day, state law allows for an extra day of voting."
CBS reported that last week, New Jersey Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno said, "Any New Jersey voter displaced from their primary residence because of the storm will be considered an "overseas voter" and can apply for an absentee ballot by email or fax as late as 5 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 6. If the voter's county clerk approves their application, the voter will receive a "waiver of secrecy" and a ballot either by email or fax, which they must return by email or fax no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day."
CBS reported that New Jersey has never had a voter turnout of less than 70 percent but this year could be one where many voters will not be able to get to polling stations nor is it a priority when they are left without homes.
Check here for polling locations in NYC.
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