“NYCVOTES.org is home to a comprehensive list of all the candidates and proposals that will be on your ballot,” the authors write. “While New Yorkers are voicing their concerns at the ballot box, it is of the utmost importance that they are getting their information from trusted sources.”
A marker directs voters to their poll site on Election Day. (Adi Talwar/City Limits)
Election Day is in full swing in New York City. Candidates are running ads, campaign posters are outside of every bodega, and once again, your phone is buzzing with texts asking you to donate, making you wonder: how did they get my number?
When it feels like you’re hearing about the election every second of every day, it might seem like there’s nothing new to learn. However, it can be hard to keep the key details straight, like when and how to vote, what else is on the ballot besides candidates, and what information to trust.
That’s why on Election Day, NYC Votes is partnering with NALEO Educational Fund to make sure New Yorkers have everything they need to make their voices heard at the ballot box.
Tuesday, New Yorkers have the opportunity to vote for decision makers who will shape the future of our city. Not only are you voting for the next mayor, but New Yorkers will also weigh in on local races and ballot proposals that influence the development of affordable housing and the timing of our elections.
NYCVOTES.org is home to a comprehensive list of all the candidates and proposals that will be on your ballot. You can even read through summaries of the key arguments for or against the ballot proposals so you can make informed decisions before you head to the polls to cast your vote.
While New Yorkers are voicing their concerns at the ballot box, it is of the utmost importance that they are getting their information from trusted sources. Spanish-speaking New Yorkers are at a particular risk for the mis/disinformation campaigns spread through social media platforms with poor content moderation and fact-checking.
For example, advocates have documented efforts to discredit the integrity and validity of various modes of voting, such as mail or absentee voting. Other documented narratives have sought to convince voters that individuals not legally authorized to vote in the United States have been allowed and encouraged to do so.
To further address the threat of mis/disinformation, NYC Votes provides a print and online voting guide where we share key information about voting including when and how to vote, what/who is on the ballot, and why voting matters.
At NYC Votes, we prioritize accessibility in our voter education materials, which is why we translate our voter guide into 13 different languages other than English. We distribute these guides for each city election, sharing nonpartisan information about the candidates and proposals on your ballot. Our organizations are also meeting with community members to make sure that they know their rights at the polls. This includes the right to vote in your language and the right to bring an interpreter to the poll.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4, which is also the last day to postmark your mail-in ballot. Polling locations for Early Voting and Election Day are usually different, so voters are encouraged to verify the location of their assigned poll site before heading out. For all important dates and deadlines, visit nycvotes.org or call our friends at NALEO Educational Fund at 1-888- 839-8682 and stay informed.
Make sure your local leaders pay attention to what matters to you and your neighbors and vote in this year’s general city election. Remember, your vote is your voice.
Jadel Munguia is the assistant press secretary of NYC Votes. Juan Rosa is national director of civic engagement at NALEO Educational Fund.
The post Opinion: Election Day is Here. Do You Have a Plan to Vote? appeared first on City Limits.
Leave a Reply