First-Time Voter Turnout in New York

Early voting in New York begins 10 days before the election, and the deadline to register to vote is 10 days before an election, leaving a single day overlap where New Yorkers can both register and cast a ballot. Furthermore, comparing the first four days of early voting in the last presidential election to this year’s, voter turnout is up significantly, yielding nearly a 40 percent increase.

Although voter turnout seems to be higher than every, not everybody is able to participate in this act of democracy. Earlier this year, the non-citizen voting law that permitted non-citizens to cast ballots in city elections was declared unconstitutional, regressing progress in the journey to expand voting rights. This decision has sparked controversy. Many advocate that non-citizen residents who contribute to the state and its economy should be able to participate in decisions affecting their communities. This law would’ve permitted an estimated 800,000 non-citizens to vote in city elections. 

The strong turnout for early voting and the increased support of grassroots organizations shows New York’s demand for inclusive democracy. During the first weekend, approximately 700,000 voters participated in early voting. Out of all the votes, 260,000 of these were cast in New York City itself. This concentration of votes shows the impact of grassroots mobilization efforts as well as the interest New Yorkers have in civic engagement. 

This emphasis on mobilization may have a lasting impact on New York’s political landscape, fostering a culture of civic participation that encourages involvement at every level, from local to national elections. As the 2024 election season progresses, the success of grassroots initiatives and the enthusiasm they’ve cultivated may lead to a more representative turnout, amplifying the voices of communities whose perspectives might otherwise go unheard.

Notes:

Works Cited:

Borelli, Joseph. “NYC’s Non-Citizen Voting Law Ruled Unconstitutional on Appeal.” Politico, March 25, 2024. https://council.nyc.gov/joseph-borelli/2024/02/23/nycs-non-citizen-voting-law-ruled-unconstitutional-on-appeal/.

DeLine, Jamie. “Over 1 Million NY Voters Have Cast Ballots during Early Voting.” Rochester First, October 30, 2024. https://www.rochesterfirst.com/new-york-state/over-1-million-ny-voters-have-cast-ballots-during-early-voting.

Kirkpatrick, Holly. “Buffalo Organizations Lead Grassroots Efforts to Get out the Vote This November.” WBFO, August 22, 2024. https://www.wbfo.org/election/2024-08-22/buffalo-organizations-lead-grassroots-efforts-to-get-out-the-vote-this-november.

Long, Ariama C. “Golden Day: NYC Sees Highest Turnout Ever for Early Voting.” New York Amsterdam News, October 30, 2024. https://amsterdamnews.com/news/2024/10/31/golden-day-nyc-sees-highest-turnout-ever-for-early-voting/.

Parsnow, Luke. “More than 700,000 Cast Ballots in First Weekend of New York Early Voting.” Spectrum News 1, October 28, 2024. https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/politics/2024/10/28/more-than-700-000-cast-ballots-in-first-weekend-of-new-york-early-voting.