Day 2 of early voting draws more long lines at Westchester polling sites

Long lines at polling places continued on Day 2 of early voting in New York.

News 12 Staff

Oct 25, 2020, 8:39 PM

Updated 1,278 days ago

Share:

Long lines at polling places continued on Day 2 of early voting in New York.
Voter Kirsti Pisso made sure she was outside the Westchester County Board of Elections no later than 8 a.m. Sunday. She was born in Australia and became a U.S. citizen two years ago.
"I just want to know that my very first vote as a U.S. citizen - particularly this election - is going to be received and counted. So I'm not taking any chances," she says.
Pisso was not the only one who got there bright and early.
Many voters made the decision to come early after seeing the lines on Saturday, with people waiting hours for their turn.
In Somers, voters lined up before polls opened at 12 p.m. Voters lined up from Town Hall, through the parking lot and all the way down the street. Some just stood in line, while other voters pulled out chairs while they waited for their opportunity to make their voices heard during the election.
There was a similar scene over in Fishkill. Voters there waited on a massive line at the Fishkill Town Hall that stretched from the building all the way across the parking lot. The line formed before the polls opened at 12 p.m.
The Westchester County Board of Elections says the reason the lines are so long is because there are only 17 sites open for early voting - and each one only has two machines.
"And once you use a machine in early voting, you can't use that machine again until after the general election," says Reginald A. LaFayette, the Democratic commissioner of Westchester County Board of Elections.
Those pairs of machines are also the only ones​ equipped to take votes from all​ Westchester voters no matter their address.
Despite the wait times, voters say they are hanging in there.
"Today I'm voting for integrity, and decency, and democracy, and all the amazing values that this country was founded on," says Pisso.
There are seven more days for Westchester voters to cast their ballots at any one of the 17 voting locations countywide.


More from News 12
1:23
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators rally in Irvington during President Biden's visits to Westchester

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators rally in Irvington during President Biden's visits to Westchester

2:29
Sunny and mild Friday for the Hudson Valley; tracking rain for Saturday

Sunny and mild Friday for the Hudson Valley; tracking rain for Saturday

0:48
President Biden announces future opening of upstate microchip factory

President Biden announces future opening of upstate microchip factory

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

0:17
Village of Walden police: Suspects found in connection to shots fired incident

Village of Walden police: Suspects found in connection to shots fired incident

0:21
Rockland County DA: Haverstraw man pleads guilty in sexual abuse of 2 children

Rockland County DA: Haverstraw man pleads guilty in sexual abuse of 2 children

0:51
Indian Point oversight board, Holtec discuss decommissioning options of former nuclear plant

Indian Point oversight board, Holtec discuss decommissioning options of former nuclear plant

0:47
State police: DNA sample from human remains found does not match profile of missing Putnam teen

State police: DNA sample from human remains found does not match profile of missing Putnam teen

0:31
New mural of Yonkers hip-hop legend Mary J. Blige unveiled at Palisade Towers

New mural of Yonkers hip-hop legend Mary J. Blige unveiled at Palisade Towers

0:35
Police find evidence in burglary while investigating a domestic dispute in Monroe

Police find evidence in burglary while investigating a domestic dispute in Monroe

0:30
Wake services held for the Westchester correction officer who died in Bronx River Parkway crash

Wake services held for the Westchester correction officer who died in Bronx River Parkway crash

Motorists encounter traffic delays, road closures in and around Irvington during President Joe Biden's visit

Motorists encounter traffic delays, road closures in and around Irvington during President Joe Biden's visit

1:42
Newburgh senior housing manager asks city for help protecting residents

Newburgh senior housing manager asks city for help protecting residents

0:25
Dramatic video captures car fire in Nanuet

Dramatic video captures car fire in Nanuet

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

0:24
New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial

New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial

0:24
Breeze Airways expands services from Westchester County Airport

Breeze Airways expands services from Westchester County Airport

1:47
Saddle up for a western-style riding adventure at Hollow Brook Riding Academy!

Saddle up for a western-style riding adventure at Hollow Brook Riding Academy!

0:26
Luxury VIP experience coming to Woodbury Common Premium Outlets

Luxury VIP experience coming to Woodbury Common Premium Outlets

2:27
How to protect spring plants from frost and freeze

How to protect spring plants from frost and freeze