New York, keeping the turnout down
On Tuesday, as on Election Days going back generations, millions of voters here and across the state will finally get the chance to cast their ballots in this fall's election.
While nearly all New Yorkers have had to wait until Election Day, residents in dozens of states around the country have been voting for more than a month.
More than 30 states allow early voting, either in person at designated polling places or by mail-in ballot.
Elections experts say the states that allow early voting and that allow same-day voter registration have higher voter turnout than more restrictive states such as New York.
In the Empire State, only those who can't physically get to a polling place or those who will be out of town on Election Day are able to vote early by absentee ballot.
This means almost every New Yorker has to go to a polling place on Election Day, often waiting in line during prime-time voting hours.
Once there, voters will be using the same levered machines they've been using for decades — with some machines dating back to the 1930s.
Some advocates are calling for New York to change its voting laws to make it easier for people to cast their ballots, and the state soon will have to change over to optical-scanner voting machines.
Do you think New Yorkers should be allowed to vote early without any restrictions? Would you like to see voting by mail for everyone?
Should people be able to register to vote on Election Day, as in Minnesota and some other states?
And why do you think states are having so much trouble finding a new, foolproof machine to replace the old levered machines and punch ballots?
— Stephen T. Watson
