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Dear Neighbors,

It's time to vote! This week's e-blast focuses on the important questions that many of you have raised about voting in the 2020 Presidential Election. Please keep the following dates in mind!
  • Early Voting begins this Saturday (10/24) and will be available until November 1st.
  • Election Day is Tuesday, November 3rd.
  • The last day to request an absentee ballot is Tuesday, October 27th.
Also in this email -- updates on resources for domestic violence survivors, helicopter traffic, youth employment, and more.
Voting FAQs

Voter Registration
 
Am I registered to vote?
You can check here or call 1-866-868-3692.
 
What is the deadline for registering to vote in the Nov 3rd General Election?
October 9, 2020 was the deadline to register to vote. This deadline also applied to students from New York currently living in another state, but who wished to vote in New York. (To register to vote in a future election, click here.)

Early Voting Begins This Saturday!

Early Voting Days and Hours for the General Election are:
  • Saturday, October 24, 10am to 4pm 
  • Sunday, October 25, 10am to 4pm 
  • Monday, October 26, 7am to 3pm 
  • Tuesday, October 27, 12pm to 8pm 
  • Wednesday, October 28, 12pm to 8pm 
  • Thursday, October 29, 10am to 6pm 
  • Friday, October 30, 7am to 3pm 
  • Saturday, October 31, 10am to 4pm 
  • Sunday, November 1, 10am to 4pm
Where do I vote?
You must vote at your assigned Early Voting poll site. Click here to find it. 

UWS Early Voting locations:

David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center
1887 Broadway
Accessible Entrance: Broadway between W. 62nd and W. 63rd Streets.
 
West Side High School
140 W. 102nd St-- voters should enter through the pathway on W. 101st St. in the back of the school.
Accessible Entrance: W. 102nd Street

Are there voting times set aside for seniors?
Unfortunately no. If a senior does not wish to vote in person, they may drop off their completed and sealed absentee ballot at an Early Voting or Election Day poll site in the designated drop box. You do not need to wait in line to do so. Seniors can also have someone they trust drop off the ballot for them. Learn more below.

Read this very helpful document from DOROT, which focuses on questions seniors may have about voting.

Election Day: Tuesday, November 3rd, 6am - 9pm
 
Where do I vote?
To find your assigned voting site, click here, call 1-866-868-3692, or e-mail your complete home address to [email protected] (include your home borough in the subject line).
 
What happens if I can't vote on Election Day?
If you will be out of town on Election Day, or are physically unable to go to the polls, you can vote by absentee ballot (see below).
 
How do I mark a paper ballot?
Be sure to follow the directions that are printed on the ballot. Paper ballots are canvassed by scanning them with machines; you must mark them correctly for your vote to count. Fill in the oval for your choice using a pen with blue or black ink. Do not make other marks anywhere on the ballot.

If you want to vote for someone whose name does not appear on the ballot, write the name in the write-in box and fill in the oval for that write-in box. Please note that there are no "propositions" on this ballot.
Absentee Voting: Request Your Ballot by Oct 27th
 
How can I obtain an absentee ballot?
To apply for an absentee ballot, click here, call 1-866-868-3692, or e-mail your request to: [email protected] (include your home borough in the subject line). 
Remember: the deadline to request your absentee ballot is this coming Tuesday, October 27, 2020.

How do I return my absentee ballot?
1.) You can mail your ballot using the envelope provided. It must be postmarked by Election Day, and received no more than 7 days after the election. Carefully follow the instructions provided-- placing your ballot in the first envelope, signing it, and then placing the first envelope in the second envelope to mail it in.

The Board of Elections recommends that you use 2 "Forever" stamps on the mailing envelope. If you already mailed your ballot without a stamp, or just 1 stamp, our understanding is that the ballot will still be delivered.

2.) You can drop off your ballot at any NYC Board of Elections office, Early Voting site, or Election Day poll site. 

Secure absentee ballot boxes will be at all UWS Early Voting and Election Day poll sites. Just to be safe -- submit your ballot using both envelopes provided by the Board of Elections. 

Click here to find the poll site nearest you to drop off your absentee ballot. Remember -- not all Early Voting locations in NYC will also serve as poll sites on Election Day (11/3). Be sure to check first.

3.) You may give your completed and sealed absentee ballot to someone you trust so they can drop it off for you. Again, just to be safe, use both envelopes provided by the Board of Elections. 

Invisible Hands, a nonpartisan volunteer group serving homebound New Yorkers, will pick up sealed absentee ballots from seniors and deposit them in the drop boxes at Early Voting sites.

Seniors (and other homebound voters) can request a volunteer to pick up their ballot here. If you’d like to volunteer for Invisible Hands to do ballot runs, complete the volunteer form here. 

My oath envelope for my absentee ballot has the wrong address. What do I do?
Email the NYC Board of Elections at [email protected], or call them at 1-866-868-3692. Do this as soon as possible -- bear in mind that the general deadline to request an absentee ballot is Tuesday, October 27th.
 
My absentee ballot says "Absentee Military," but I'm not in the military. Is this the correct ballot?
Yes, your ballot is valid and your vote will be processed. This was a typo and should have read "Absentee / Military."
 
How do I ensure that I have received the correct absentee ballot?
Please check the pre-printed label on the ballot you received to make sure it has your correct full name and address.
 
How do I check the status of my absentee ballot?
You can check the status by clicking here. The system is updated every 24 hours, and applications take up to 72 hours to be entered. 

When I check the status of my absentee ballot online, it says “Reviewing Application.” How long before I receive my absentee ballot? 
If there are any issues with your ballot, the Board of Elections will contact you. The BOE currently has a backlog of ballot requests that have been received but not yet processed. We have been advised that the BOE has received new ballot processing equipment which should speed up the process. 

How will I know when my absentee ballot is being processed?
When you track your absentee ballot on-line, the message will change to “Ballot Received Valid.” 
Other Important Voting Questions
 
Can I obtain assistance with voting at my poll site?
Federal law permits a person with a disability, or anyone who cannot read, to have a friend or relative assist them in the voting booth. Election inspectors at the poll site will also be available to assist you.
 
What kinds of accessibility accommodations are available at poll sites?
  • Accessible entrance at every site. 
  • Magnifying sheet in each voting booth.
  • Ballot marking device (BMD), an electronic device that provides several ways to access and mark a paper ballot. The BMD helps all voters, including those with disabilities, to vote privately and independently.
For more information, visit: https://vote.nyc/page/accessibility.
 
How do I vote if I am in the military, or currently reside overseas?
For information about military/overseas voting, visit the NYS Board of Elections website, or contact the NYC Board of Elections here. 

Broadly speaking, you are entitled to special provisions by applying through the Federal Post Card Application. This application will register you (if not already registered) and will also serve as your absentee ballot application for 2 federal general election cycles. Learn more and download the application here.

Can I vote if I have a criminal record?
Click here to read an FAQ document from the New York Civil Liberties Union regarding voting rights for persons with a criminal record.

Want to read more? Click on this helpful FAQ doc from the City's DemocracyNYC Project.

Community Updates


October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, visit nyc.gov/NYCHOPE, or call 1-800-621-4673 (HOPE), to find out how you can get help.



Domestic violence occurs in every part of our city, among people of all races, cultures, religions, and income levels. It can happen to someone regardless of age, gender, or sexual orientation. 

You are not alone. My office supports many DV service agencies that you can contact to get free counseling and legal support services. 

Helicopter Traffic
We have seen a marked uptick in constituent complaints regarding helicopter traffic. Unfortunately, the City of NY has very limited purview over our skies. Only through City Council action were we able to significantly reduce helicopter flights at the City-owned helipad in lower Manhattan. 

I urge you to join me in pressing the Federal Aviation Authority to address the noise, pollution, and safety issues caused by helicopter traffic across our area. 

Please contact Representative Jerry Nadler, and Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, and share your concerns. The FAA must take action.

You can pursue the issue further by: 
  • Contacting the FAA Aviation Noise Ombudsman: email [email protected], or leave a voicemail at (202) 267-3521. 
  • Following the work of advocacy groups like Stop the Chop, and
  • Tracking helicopter traffic via this interesting app.

Youth Employment & Workforce Development
Applications are being accepted for Work, Learn, Grow (WLG), the City Council-funded youth workforce development program, until October 30th. Click here to learn more and apply!

Who is eligible? Former SYEP Bridge participants, as well as high school students (ages 16 to 19) enrolled in 54 selected CareerReady Schools.

What's the timetable? 
  • November - December, developing work readiness skills for a total of 30 hours. Students will earn one college credit through CUNY and receive a $450 stipend.
  • December - March, students engage in approximately 200 hours of an internship, at $15 per hour.
Spread the Word!
 
If you are facing a possible eviction, help is available. You can access a wide range of free legal services on our website, by looking under "Housing."
We're Here to Help

My office assists people with housing issues, seniors, the disabled, the recently un (or under) employed, the food insecure, and all those suffering the many consequences of this pandemic, to help in any way we can.

Please call (212) 873-0282, leave a message and we will call you back as soon as possible; email [email protected]; or check our website, HelenRosenthal.com. We update it on a regular basis with information about public benefits, non-profit resources, and health facts Upper West Siders need to get through this crisis. 

Warmly,



P.S. Please forward this newsletter to anyone you think might be interested, or have them subscribe to my e-blasts here. Also, follow my social media accounts on Twitter, Facebook, and/or Instagram.
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