What to do if there are unexpected delays at the polls

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - It may be Election Day in America, but in New York, nearly 3 million people have already voted. Polling places in New York have been open since 6 a.m. However, at least one polling site in Albany was running about 30 minutes behind, meaning people couldn't get in to the polling site and vote right away.

The Christian Education Center at the Bethany Reformed Church on 760 New Scotland Avenue in Albany had a long line wrapped along the building before the polls were even open Tuesday morning. When the polls were supposed to open at 6 a.m., voters couldn't get in.

According to a poll worker at the polling site, the workers did not know how to turn on the lights and had difficulty finding the outlets for the machines. This therefore caused the over two dozen voters to not be able to vote until nearly 6:30 a.m. Despite the delays, Albany voter Kathleen Chant remained positive.

“I do live close to this polling site, and I just enjoy coming out on Election Day," Chant said. "I have voted early in other elections because I wanted to be on the scene. I wanted to cast my ballot today on Election Day.”

According to Joseph Suhrada, Commissioner of Elections in Saratoga County, two polling sites, Ballston Spa and Town of Northumberland, also had delays when opening the polls. In this case, bags of supplies with the keys were switched. Additionally, Suhrada noted that a polling site in Clifton Park also opened late due to an elderly poll worker getting lost due to his GPS on the way. In total, out of 204 districts, three were late openings.

Suhrada said there are over 800 poll workers working on Election Day and that there is always a slight chance for illness or tardiness. Every delayed location was opened within 40 minutes.

If voters run into any issues when voting on Election Day, there are things they can do to help fix the problems they have.

According to the New York State Board of Elections, if voters have any issues, they should first contact a poll worker on site and relay the issue to them. The poll worker will then contact the county board of elections and have someone from the county come to the polling site to assess any issues. Voters themselves can also call their county board of elections. It is also an option to call the New York State Board of Elections Public Information number, or even a phone number connected to the state attorney general.

The New York State Election Protection Hotline: (866) 390-2992. The New York State Board of Elections Public Information: (518) 474-1953.

Reminders for voters who vote on Election Day. In New York, voters do not need an ID to vote; they need to be registered to vote ahead of time and vote at the proper polling place based on where they live.

If voters are using a mail-in or absentee ballot, it must be postmarked by Election Day and received by next Tuesday, or dropped off at either the voters local county board of elections office or a poll site in their county by 9 p.m. on Tuesday.

If voters requested a ballot but wish to vote in person, they can. However, voters will need to fill out a provisional or affidavit ballot at their polling site. It must be verified by the voters local board of elections before it is counted. Anyone who fills out one of these ballots will be able to track their ballot to see if and when it is counted.