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Early Voting In Onondaga County Has Positive Reception Early Voting In Onondaga County Received Favorably

By John Licinio

This looks like an ordinary polling station. Voters cast their ballots to decide who gets to be the next County Executive or Supreme Court Judge. However, today isn’t Election Day. For the first time in New York state history, these voters are casting their ballots early. According to election inspector Andrew Washington, early voting is intended to make the voting process more convenient for everyone.

“It breaks up that large volume, breaks it down, thins it out, and everybody’s voice can be heard, and it won’t be – they won’t have to be backed up for hours in lines to vote.”

In order to help spread out this volume, the Onondaga County Board of Elections is giving early voters as much freedom as possible in terms of both location and time.

“Early voters have plenty of options when it comes to polling places, ranging from the Armond Magnarelli Community Center on Grand Boulevard…
…to the Southwest Community Center, here on South Avenue.”

Voters can arrive at these polling stations at any time from twelve noon to eight PM to cast their votes. This wide range of times and locations is particularly valuable to voters like Carol Jeschke, who are passionate about politics but have trouble getting to the polls on the normal election day.

“I always vote. Hundred years, right? But it would’ve been more difficult – this was very easy, and I appreciated it.”

Washington firmly believes that the state should continue to allow early voting for the 2020 election, as it will make things easier for both voters and officials.

“I really hope that the state continues with the early bird because it makes it a lot easier for the general election – for the presidential election next year.”

Early voting will be available in Onondaga County until November 3rd. More information can be found on the Onondaga County Board of Elections website. This is John Licinio, N-C-C News.

Syracuse, N.Y. (NCC News) — The ongoing 2019 general election in New York State is the first election that allows voters in New York to cast ballots in person before Election Day. This measure was introduced as part of a broader voting reform bill that was signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in January.

Both voters and election officials in Onondaga County had a positive view of early voting, seeing it as a useful way to both increase overall voter participation and reduce the workload of county election officials. Election inspector Andrew Washington, who oversaw early voting in the Armond Magnarelli Community Center on Oct. 30, explained how early voting makes the overall process of voting smoother:

“It speeds the process up.” said Washington. “What early bird [voting] is about is it breaks it down, and everybody gets to make a choice before the general election for those who can’t wait and just want to get it done.”

Early bird voting also benefits those who may have difficulty accessing polling places on the posted election day, as early voting creates a wider range of potential voting locations and times .

“I was so surprised and delighted, frankly, because at my age and stage in life it’s easier to make my own schedule… the official voting place is pretty inaccessible for me,” said voter Carol Jeschke.

Early voting will be available in Onondaga County from Oct. 26 to Nov. 3rd at a variety of locations, including the DeWitt Town Hall Courtroom in Syracuse and the Van Buren Town Hall in Baldwinsville. More information can be found at the Onondaga County Board of Elections website.

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