Rain and blustering winds couldn’t stop Queens voters from showing up for this year’s midterm elections.
Dozens of civically engaged citizens filed in and out of Bayside High School this morning to cast their ballots for governor, attorney general, state senators and a host of other candidates. Some came with their spouses, siblings and children, while others came solo.
A mother was overheard telling her young child and future voter, “We have to go vote; it’s our civic duty.”
Bayside resident Michelle Fields spoke to the importance of voting in these politically divisive times. The voter said that the past two years under the current administration has torn the country apart and it is the responsibility of voters to help reunite the country.
“I want to hold my representatives accountable. I want my representatives to represent me and the concerns of my community and I want to participate in my right to vote because it’s important that my voice and my concerns are heard,” said Fields. “Today more than ever in this country it’s very important that we have representatives that are for the people — for all people.”
Meanwhile, Queens residents and elected officials reported packed polling sites as people came in droves to vote before work. Others complained of broken machines and general disorganization.
And this is in a district without competitive races, after the morning rush, and in the rain #vote #ElectionDay pic.twitter.com/JvBvBbYoby
— Sen. Mike Gianaris (@SenGianaris) November 6, 2018
Polling location in #astoria #queens #nyc was packed at 9:30am! Keep the #voting up!!!
— Jenna Ashley (@Jac05f) November 6, 2018
Queens election location for #district24 line to vote taking 2-3 hours due to inefficient planning or broken voting machines?!?!? Why do we not have early voting here @NYGovCuomo ? @BOENYC people are angry and leaving the line! Give the most populated city in the US this right!
— Erin Cameron (@ecameron19) November 6, 2018
Voting in Queens, NY, paper ballots, 5 scanning machines, all broke down !!
Had to do emergency voting, terrible!!— Roseanna Oreto Vitti (@roeroe1213) November 6, 2018
Polls are open today until 9 p.m. Click here to find your local polling site. Visit the Board of Elections website for more information on voter rights, how the ballots work and more.
Today, QNS reporters are at polling sites across Queens reporting on the Election Day turnout. We’ll have more reports as the day progresses. In the meantime, you have until 9 p.m. tonight to vote — so get out there and exercise your right!
