Election Day Primer
UPTOWNflavor’s Guide to Voting on November 4, 2008
If this is your first time voting, first of all, congratulations! Here is a video demo of how to use the voting machine and instructions for using a paper ballot. Don’t get nervous or intimidated because it will cause you to make errors. If you do make a mistake, tell the poll worker right away so he or she can let you start over again. Please be patient and do not rush. You will probably be waiting a long time, but remember it is only one day every 4 years, so use the free time to meet your neighbors.
You can take time off to vote, but you must check with your employer ahead of time. Here is the actual state law:
| New York | Employees are allowed to take “sufficient time” on Election Day as is necessary to allow them to vote, if four consecutive non-working hours are not available while the polls are open. Employers may designate whether the time is to be taken at the beginning or end of the shift. Employees must notify employers of the need for time off not more than 10 days and not less than 2 days before the election. Employers must post a conspicuous notice of employee rights at least ten days before Election Day. | Paid up to two hours | McKinney’s Consolidated Laws of New York § 3-110 |
New York – An employee is allowed “sufficient time” to vote if polls aren’t open four consecutive hours outside the employee’s regular shift. The employee must notify the employer of the need for time off at least two but not more than ten working days prior to the election, and the employer may specify whether the employee takes time off at the beginning or end of the shift. Employers must post a conspicuous notice of employee rights at least ten days before election day. If an employee has four consecutive hours either before the opening of the polls and the beginning of a working shift, or between the end of a working shift and the closing of the polls, the employee isn’t entitled to any paid time. If there aren’t four consecutive hours before or after the regular working shift, the employee is entitled to up to two hours paid time off at the beginning or end of the shift. (N.Y. Election Law Sections 3-110 and 17-118)
A list of candidates can be found here. Remember, you can cross party lines in the General Election. Let me reiterate, “you are not obligated to vote for your party’s candidate in the general election. In November, you may vote for any candidate from any party.” General Elections are held to elect candidates to public offices. Voters registered without a party affiliation may vote only in General and Special Elections.
The following parties are recognized in New York State:
* Republican
* Democratic
* Independence
* Conservative
* Working Families
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