5 things voters need to know this election season

With Election Day just two weeks away, voters across the Riverdale area are preparing to cast their ballots in races that will determine who represents them in Albany, Washington and the governor’s office.

Early voting begins Saturday, Oct. 24, and continues through Sunday, Nov. 1, ahead of the general election Tuesday, Nov. 3.

As the city gears up to vote, here are five things residents should know before heading to the polls.

Who is on the ballot?

Several local candidates won spots on the ballot in June after closely-watched Democratic primary elections, including incumbent Assembly member Jeffrey Dinowitz and political newcomer Darializa Avila Chevalier.

Dinowitz won the Democratic primary for the 81st Assembly District, defeating challenger Morgan Evers with 65% of the vote, while Chevalier defeated five-term incumbent U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat in the Democratic primary for New York’s 13th Congressional District, which encompasses parts of northern Manhattan, including Marble Hill.

Chevalier will still face off with Republican Jomo Manuel Williams on the General Election ballot. Dinowitz does not have a challenger on the ballot, according to listings from city’s board of elections.

On the ballot for New York’s 15th Congressional District, which covers much of the Bronx, is Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres, who faces Republican Stylo Sapaskis, Conservative Gonzalo Duran, Party for Socialism and Liberation candidate Andre Easton and independent candidate Jose Vega.

Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul is running for reelection against Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Republican.

Important dates

The deadline to register to vote is Saturday, Oct. 24. Residents can check their registration status at amiregistered.vote.nyc. Registration applications submitted by mail must be received by the Board of Elections by that date.

Early voting runs from Oct. 24 through Nov. 1, with hours varying by day. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Voters planning to cast their ballots by mail must request an early mail or absentee ballot online or by mail by Oct. 24. The deadline to request one in person is Monday, Nov. 2. Completed ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3 or delivered in person to an authorized location by 9 p.m. that day.

Where to vote

Polling locations depend on a voter’s registered home address, and early voting sites may differ from Election Day locations.

According to the New York City Board of Elections, early voting sites serving portions of greater Riverdale include:

• Riverdale Y: 5625 Arlington Ave.

• In-Tech Academy (MS/HS 368): 2975 Tibbett Ave.

• Mosholu Montefiore Community Center: 3450 DeKalb Ave.

On Election Day, additional polling locations throughout greater Riverdale include:

• MS/HS 141 Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy: 660 W. 237th St.

• Hebrew Institute of Riverdale: 3700 Henry Hudson Parkway.

• Riverpoint Towers Community Room: 555 Kappock St.

• John F. Kennedy Campus: 99 Terrace View Ave.

• P.S. 207: 3030 Godwin Terrace.

• Fort Independence Community Center: 3350 Bailey Ave.

• M.S. 143 Marie Curie School: 120 W. 231st St.

• P.S. 95 Sheila Mencher: 3961 Hillman Ave.

• P.S. 81 Robert J. Christen: 5550 Riverdale Ave.

Residents should confirm their assigned location before leaving home by visiting vote.nyc/page/find-your-poll-site.

Early and mail-in voting

New Yorkers do not have to wait until Election Day to vote. Registered voters can cast their ballots in person during the nine-day early voting period or request a ballot by mail without providing a reason.

Early voting sites will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 24-26; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 27-28; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 29; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 30-Nov. 1.

Residents wishing to vote by mail or absentee ballot can submit a request at requestballot.vote.nyc or obtain an application from the board of elections. Completed ballots can be returned by mail, delivered to a borough board of elections office or dropped off at an authorized polling location during voting hours.

For Bronx residents, the borough board of elections office is located at 1780 Grand Concourse, on the fifth floor. The office can be reached at 718-299-9017, while the citywide election hotline is 866-868-3692.

Voters returning ballots by mail should allow sufficient delivery time. Ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3 and received by Nov. 11 to be counted.

What to bring to the polls

Most New Yorkers do not need to bring identification to vote. However, first-time voters who registered by mail or online and did not provide identification when registering may be asked to show proof of identity.

Acceptable forms include a driver’s license, non-driver identification card, utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document showing the voter’s name and address.Voters who are asked to show identification but do not have it can still cast an affidavit ballot, which election officials will review to determine whether it can be counted.

Voters can also bring written notes or a completed sample ballot to help them make their selections. Cellphones are permitted inside polling places, but taking photographs of marked ballots is prohibited under New York law.

New Yorkers are encouraged to check their registration status and assigned polling location before arriving. Once inside, they will sign in with a poll worker, receive a paper ballot, mark their selections in a privacy booth and insert the completed ballot into a scanner.