The devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy is vast, and we are working to make sure that all voters affected by the storm are able to overcome any obstacles preventing them from having their vote counted. Last week, we sent two letters--one to Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno and another to Governor Andrew Cuomo—asking them to help voters overcome barriers to casting their ballot by providing more opportunities to cast their vote. In these letters we requested an executive order allowing displaced voters in both states who are unable to access their assigned polling station be permitted to cast an affidavit (New York) or provisional (New Jersey) ballot at polling places out of precinct and out of county, as a major step toward making sure every ballot is counted. After Election Day, the eligibility of each voter and ballot can be determined.

New Jersey has already responded and allowed voters to cast provisional ballots out of precinct and also allowing displaced voters to vote absentee by email or fax or at a precinct or polling location outside of their own.

For more information on Election changes due to Hurricane Sandy, check back on our website.

View the full letter to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.

View the full letter to New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno.

Organizations Signed

The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law

Common Cause/New York

League of Women Voters of New York

New York Public Interest Group (NYPIRG)

Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law

New York Immigration Coalition

Arab American Association of New York

Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund

Central American Refugee Center (CARECEN)

Chhaya CDC

CAAAV

El Centro del Immigrante

Hudson Valley Community Coalition

Indo-Caribbean Alliance, Inc.

Korean Americans for Political Advancement

La Fuente

MinKwon Center for Community Action

National Network for Arab American Communities

New Immigrant Community Empowerment (NICE)

New York State Immigrant Action Fund

Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights

Queens Community House

Russian American Voters Educational League (RAVEL)

Taking Our Seat

Westchester Hispanic Coalition

National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund

La Fuente

Long Island Progressive Coalition

Long Island Civic Engagement Table

Latino Justice

Chinese Progressive Association

National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development (National CAPACD)

Rockland Immigration Coalition