Safety Protocols in Place, NYC Early Voting Ready to Begin

NEW YORK — The final touches are set at the atrium of Barclays Center in Brooklyn, where Board of Election workers spent Friday gearing up for the start of early voting, which begins Saturday.

You Asked Us About Voting in New York City. Here Are Our Answers.

Poll workers say they're prepared for a massive operation expected to attract thousands of voters looking to cast their ballot in a presidential election year while the country is still in the grips of a deadly pandemic.

What You Need To Know

Early voting kicks off Saturday and lasts nine days

Thousands of people are expected to turn out in a presidential election year amid a global pandemic

The Board of Elections says it is prepared to handle the effort despite some hiccups in the June primary

There will be 88 early voting locations across the city

"What you see here today are the workers preparing for early voting, which starts tomorrow at 10 a.m. and runs through the following Sunday. Nine straight days of early voting," Mike Ryan, executive director of the New York City Board of Elections, told NY1.

Early voting starts Saturday in New York City. Here are the full hours.

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Safety protocols are in place. There’s hand sanitizer at every table, plexiglass dividers, and reminders to socially distance. Masks will be required.

Early voting has begun in multiple states across the nation. but it is relatively new for New York. It was introduced just last year. And for the historically troubled Board of Elections, it will be a challenge to ensure it goes smoothly.

"The first two efforts at early voting went very well, and we expect that this effort will go equally well," Ryan said. "Voters should expect to come, have their name found in the poll book very quickly, and to vote without any real difficulties."

Despite that confidence, there has been confusion regarding this election, especially after a misprint caused thousands of absentee ballot envelopes to arrive with the wrong name and addresses in Brooklyn.

"There are always speedbumps and hiccups in any large undertaking, and we will stand at the ready to correct any issues expeditiously, should they arise," Ryan said.

If you're planning on getting out to vote early, here is what you need to know:

Early voting begins Saturday, and lasts through Sunday, November 1.

There will be 88 early voting sites around the city including the Barclays Center, Madison Square Garden, and the Brooklyn Museum — all large venues to help crowds keep their distance.

Polls are open as early as 7 a.m. and as late as 8 p.m.

The Barclays Center is assigned to 30,000 early voters, but the board is encouraging New Yorkers to check their early polling site location before they head to the polls. You can do that at vote.nyc

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