In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, New York City and State election officials have made a number of announcements regarding its effect on the November 6th election. Changes have been made to Board of Elections offices operations, absentee voting deadlines, and possibly poll site locations.

Absentee Ballot Extensions (NYS BOE)

• The New Your State Board of Elections extended the Absentee Ballot application deadline for all voters in the state from October 30th to November 2nd. Absentee ballot applications sent by mail or fax must now be received no later than Friday, November 2nd. The in-person deadline remains Monday, November 5th.
• Absentee Ballot applications can be faxed in New York City to the following numbers (please fax to the appropriate borough)

-Manhattan: 212-465-2135

-Bronx: 718-299-2140

-Brooklyn: 718-246-5958

-Queens: 718-459-3384

-Emergency line for all 5 boroughs: 212-465-2135

• The State Board also extended the Absentee Ballot receipt deadline to 13 days after Election Day. Ballots must still be postmarked no later than Monday, November 5th. However, the local Board of Elections will continue accept mailed ballots received at their offices by November 19th.

NYC Elections Office Closures (BOE Press Release)

• The NYC Board of Elections offices in Manhattan and Staten Island are closed due to power outages. Officials opened a temporary Manhattan office at 450 West 33rd Street, 10th Floor. Officials are attempting to have the Staten Island office’s lobby open to assist voters. 
• Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens Board offices are operating between the hours of 10am and 9pm. 
• The central phone bank (866 VOTE NYC) is down due to power outages.

Storm-Impacted Polling Places

• According to WNYC, the NYC BOE is in the process of “surveying its approximately 100 polling places in the flood zones and assessing to see how many may need to be relocated.” 
• No poll place changes have been announced. The NYS BOE will post any change here. 

We expect this information to change. We will continue to monitor news outlets and the Board of Elections and provide updates as they are available.