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An actor playing George Washington outside a demonstration of the new voting machines at CUNY in the Heights on Cooper Street. PHOTO: Daniel P. Bader
Voting on a new machine
It’s about as simple as voting can get. The Board of Elections has been touring Northern Manhattan for the last week demonstrating its new voting machines, which are essentially computer scanners that read a paper ballot that voters fill out.
Board of Elections spokesperson Valerie Vasquez said the bright yellow BOE trucks have been giving 30 demonstrations a day of the new voting machines, which replace the old pull-the-handle-flip-your-choice punch card machines used for decades.
On Primary Day, Sept. 14, Democrats around the city will go to their polling stations to elect their party’s candidates for the November general election.
According to workers at the demonstrations, voters will check into their election districts, just like always, and be handed a paper ballot. The printed ballot looks like the old ballot, except instead of flipping a tab to cast a vote, voters will fill in circles next to their candidate of choice at a table.
What some will undoubtedly miss are the ballot propositions, which don’t fit on the new ballot size, and have been regulated to the back of the sheet.
The next step is to take the completed ballot and feed it into one of the touch-screen machines. If you filled out the ballot correctly – that’s it. If you voted for two candidates by accident, the machine will tell you so. If, however, you forget to vote for an office, or the proposition, the machine doesn’t tell you so, it just deposits your ballot into a locked box on the bottom.
If you make a mistake, you have to go back to the registration table, where you’ll get a new ballot – and a poll worker will write “void” across your old one and deposit it in a special envelope.
Hudson Heights seniors angry at Board of Elections no-show
A dozen or so seniors waiting for a demonstration of the new voting machines at the Ayudath Israel of America Moriah Older Adult Luncheon Club on Bennett Avenue were stood up by the Board of Elections on Wed., Aug. 18 without an explanation.
“Nobody called, nobody cares,” said senior citizen Dorothy Chaboty. “Somebody is not following through with their promises.”
The club was missed during the Board of Elections tour of the neighborhood, leaving those left out miffed.
“They were supposed to be here to teach us,” said Chaboty, who is a poll worker at P.S. 187. “How are we going to vote?”
Monica Cohn, director of the center, said she spent 45 minutes on the phone trying to locate the machines.
“It’s very disconcerting,” she said. “I feel very bad for the people who came.”
On Aug. 19 the BOE released a statement about the mishap, saying there was a scheduling mistake, and rescheduled the demonstration for Aug. 25.
Schneiderman snags New York Times endorsement for attorney general
State Senator Eric Schneiderman’s bid to win his bruising bid for New York State attorney general received a major boost Sat., Aug. 21 with the New York Times endorsed his candidacy over his five opponents noting his “sound judgment, legal expertise, political independence and long history of fighting for government reform."
"Schneiderman has courage, a strong voice and a deep commitment to ethical government," the board wrote. "During his 12 years in the Senate, he championed important laws protecting women’s rights and repealing the overly harsh Rockefeller-era drug laws, and he challenged his party’s leaders when they chose expedience over conviction."
The other candidates are Richard Brodsky, Sean Coffey, Eric Dinallo and
Kathleen Rice.
Schneiderman and Espaillat endorse challenger to Espada Jr.
State Senator and Attorney General candidate Eric Schneiderman today endorsed Gustavo Rivera, a Bronx candidate running to unseat Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada, Jr.
Joined by Assembly Member and State Senate candidate Adriano Espaillat, Schneiderman praised Rivera's commitment to reform.
“Today, I'm not just endorsing Gustavo Rivera for State Senate-I'm endorsing reform, I'm reforming leadership, and I'm endorsing integrity." said Eric Schneiderman. "For far too long, New Yorkers have lost confidence in their representatives in government. But for the voters of the Bronx, that's about to change. Gustavo will help restore dignity to the office, bringing fresh, new leadership to Albany. I'm proud to stand with him to support his campaign.”
“I am proud to endorse Gustavo because I know he will distinguish himself as an agent of reform in Albany, advocating for progressive causes and honorably serving the communities of the 33rd District," said Adriano Espaillat. "I look forward to working with him in the State Senate.”
Earlier this year Espada was accused of using $14 million in funds meant for the Soundview Health Clinic for his own personal use.
Correction:
A story about how much money the candidates for local office raised by the Aug 13 filing deadline incorrectly stated that the State Board of Elections had no data for 71st Assembly Candidate Ariel Ferreira. The People for Ariel Ferreira reported having raised $920 since July, that he has $1,154 on hand, and in total has raised $4,925
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