10/24/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/24/2024 14:23
NEW YORK - New York Attorney General Letitia James today issued guidance reminding New Yorkers of their voting rights and key election information ahead of the start of early voting in the November 2024 general election. With early voting beginning statewide on Saturday, October 26th, Attorney General James highlighted critical deadlines, outlined voters' rights in the polling place, and provided tips to New Yorkers to protect against AI-generated election misinformation. Attorney General James also sent a letter to local Boards of Election (BOEs) and law enforcement agencies reminding them of their responsibility to prevent voter intimidation and safeguard voters' rights.
The Office of the Attorney General (OAG)'s Election Protection Hotline will be available to troubleshoot and resolve a range of issues encountered by voters from Saturday, October 26 through Wednesday, November 6. New Yorkers can contact the Election Protection Hotline by either calling (866) 390-2992 or submitting a complaint online.
"Every New Yorker should be able to vote easily and without fear," said Attorney General James. "As we approach the November 2024 election, my office is ensuring that every voice is heard, and the integrity of the electoral process is upheld. Any behavior that gets in the way of a fair and safe election should be reported to my office immediately."
Key Dates and Deadlines
Know Your Rights
Every New York voter has the right to vote freely and without fear of intimidation, coercion, or threats to their safety.
Voter Identification
Voters are never required to show photo identification to vote in New York. However, depending on how you registered, and if this is the first time you are voting, there is a small chance that poll site officials will ask you to confirm your name and address with an official document. If this is the case, you may use photo identification or a copy of any of the following documents:
If you do not have any of these forms of identification, but believe you are eligible to vote, you may request an affidavit ballot at your poll site or submit a mail-in ballot.
Accessibility and Accommodations
Under New York law, voters with disabilities must be provided with reasonable accommodations to ensure meaningful access to voting.
Preventing Voter Intimidation
Attorney General James has issued guidance to local Boards of Elections (BOEs) and law enforcement agencies aimed at preventing voter intimidation and safeguarding voters' rights. Anyone who witnesses potentially dangerous voter intimidation should immediately report the incident to local law enforcement and OAG.
Under state and federal law, it is illegal for anyone to intimidate, threaten, or coerce voters in an attempt to disrupt their right to vote. It is also illegal to bring any firearm, rifle, or shotgun to polling places, or to use any other weapon to intimidate or harass voters. Other examples of potentially illegal voter intimidation include:
Under federal law, voter intimidation includes threatening violence against voters, threatening to evict someone for voting or using voter information to track down old warrants, publicly disseminating individuals' names and addresses, or "doxing," and following voters to poll sites and speaking loudly about prosecuting them for illegal voting. Additionally, economic coercion, such as boycotting a business or threatening to share information with debt collectors as a result of voting, could constitute illegal voter intimidation.
Protecting Against AI Misinformation
Voters should be aware of potentially fake or misleading election-related content generated by artificial intelligence (AI). Fake content created by artificial intelligence can be used to cause confusion and, when spread rapidly and widely through social media platforms, can have a profound impact on voters' actions.
Attorney General James has released a guide called "Protecting New Yorkers from AI-Generated Election Misinformation," to help protect against and report misinformation generated by AI about the upcoming elections. The guide offers New Yorkers tips on how to avoid relying on fake content, report it, and seek accurate information about the elections:
Election Protection Hotline
The Office of the Attorney General's Election Protection Hotline will be available to receive reports of any type of intimidation or other interference with the right to vote beginning Saturday, October 26.
The telephone hotline will be open between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM during early voting from Saturday, October 26 through Sunday, November 3, as well as on Monday, November 4 and Wednesday, November 6, and between 6:00 AM and 9:00 PM on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5.
The hotline will be available to troubleshoot and resolve a range of issues encountered by voters, including issues voting by absentee ballot, early mail ballot, or in-person at their polling place. A guide addressing frequently asked questions is also currently available to assist voters with, among other things, the absentee and early mail ballot process and voter registration issues.
New Yorkers who observe voter intimidation or any other illegal activity at the polls are encouraged to contact the hotline by either calling (866) 390-2992 or submitting a complaint online. Hotline calls and written requests for assistance are processed by OAG attorneys and staff.
Any emergencies or incidents involving potentially dangerous conduct should be reported to local law enforcement immediately by calling 911.