According to the New York Post, early voting in New York State totaled about 1.96 million ballots from Oct. 24 to Nov. 1, up nearly 70% from 2022. Early voting rose 60% in New York City and 70% in the suburbs and upstate. On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
According to the New York Post, early voting turnout in New York State rose nearly 70% from four years ago. In unofficial figures released Monday, Nov. 2, by the State Board of Elections, early voting over the nine days from Saturday, Oct. 24, to Sunday, Nov. 1, totaled 1,965,043 ballots. That is well above the 1,178,676 recorded under the same system in 2022. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, and polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
By region, early voting in New York City rose 60%, from 432,634 ballots in 2022 to 690,526 this year. In the suburbs and rural upstate counties, it rose 70%, from 746,042 to 1,274,717. The Post noted that early voting had only recently been introduced in 2022 and that the election took place after the COVID-19 pandemic, so many people may have been reluctant to vote in person early. Even so, the size of the increase is seen as notable.
One area with an especially large increase is the 21st Congressional District in the North Country in northern New York. The seat became competitive after Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik announced her retirement, and on Monday, Nov. 2, Vice President JD Vance campaigned in support of Republican candidate Anthony Constantino. The Democratic candidate is dairy farmer Blake Gendebien. In four counties in the district, early voting more than doubled from 2022. Clinton County went from 3,930 ballots to 7,323, Essex from 1,457 to 3,460, Oneida from 8,682 to 17,363, and St. Lawrence from 2,681 to 6,375.
Early voting also rose sharply in the 17th Congressional District in the southern Hudson Valley. Republican incumbent Rep. Mike Lawler is being challenged there by Democrat Cait Conley, and Rockland County, which is part of the district, saw an 81% increase, from 24,355 ballots to 44,184. Democratic state chair Jay Jacobs said the early results appear favorable to Democrats. Republican state chair Ed Cox pushed back, saying Republican supporters are also turning out in large numbers for early voting.
In this election, New York State voters will also cast ballots for governor, attorney general and comptroller. In the governor's race, Democratic incumbent Kathy Hochul faces Republican Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. The attorney general's race pits Democratic incumbent Letitia James against Republican Saritha Komatireddy, and the comptroller's race pits Democratic incumbent Tom DiNapoli against Republican Joseph Hernandez.