Wednesday, August 24, 2022

Voter exhaustion and apathy and poll site chaos impacts primary results

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Queens Eagle

A muggy day in late August was no match for the relatively small number of Queens residents who cast their ballots for a handful of State Senate and Congressional primary races taking place throughout the borough Tuesday. 

It was the second primary election to be held in the city this summer, after the Court of Appeals ruled that the state’s Senate and Congressional electoral maps ran afoul of the state’s constitution. To give the court-appointed “special master” enough time to draw the new redistricting lines, the Board of Elections split the primaries into a June and August date. 

While June’s turnout was relatively low, Tuesday’s turnout in the bifurcated primary appeared to be even lower in the few areas in Queens where there were contested races on the ballot.

And while the borough was without many open races or challenges to incumbents on Tuesday, the borough wasn’t completely void of a real political contest. One of the most hotly contested races is for Senate District 59, a newly created district that covers parts of Long Island City, Astoria, Greenpoint, Williamsburg, Tudor City, Kips Bay and Stuyvesant Town. The race features a young progressive candidate backed by the Democratic Socialists of America in Kristen Gonzalez, former City Councilmember and Queens County Democratic Party-backed Elizabeth Crowley and Mike Corbett, a former staffer to former Councilmember Costa Constantinides. 

But turnout in the Queens portion of the district appeared to be lagging early Tuesday, which could potentially serve as an advantage for Gonzalez.

Around 25 voters had cast their ballot at P.S. 166 in Astoria by 8 a.m., on Tuesday. The site saw well over double that number in June by that time, a poll worker told the Eagle. Turnout at Information Technology High School in Long Island City hit 46 voters by 9:45 a.m., also a decline from the June turnout. 

The Ravenswood Community Center, which serves as the primary polling site for residents of NYCHA’s Ravenswood Houses, had logged less than 10 voters by 9 a.m. Poll workers there said it wasn’t just the unusual August primary that was causing issues. 

Poll workers arrived at the site to find that the electronic tablets used to check voters in hadn’t been prepared the night before, as they normally are. At least five voters arrived to the site and were asked to return later. A poll worker told the Eagle that one voter left upset, another voted via affidavit ballot and the others had yet to return. 

“They’re working now, we didn’t turn the voters away and we want them to come [back],” the poll worker said. 

Ricardo Aca, a member of nonprofit Make the Road New York, was canvassing for votes outside of the Ravenswood site on behalf of Gonzalez. 

Aca said that he was particularly concerned that the poll site issues were happening in an area home to a majority of Black and brown residents. 

“I’m definitely disappointed that it's happening in a district that is majority Black voters,” Aca said. “We already know a lot of voters do not get their information about the election, so then those that do get to vote and practice the right to vote then get turned away because the machines are down – it’s inexcusable.”

A Board of Elections spokesperson said: “We had some technical issues with the poll pads at that site this morning. Some voters opted to return later, but affidavits were always available to voters.”

Issues also arose at P.S. 55 in Richmond Hill, where several voters were asked to vote via affidavit because of a mix up surrounding absentee ballots. 

Voters who request absentee ballots are not allowed to vote at a polling station in-person, as per a recent rule change from the Board of Elections. 

In Marisa Osorio’s case, however, that request for an absentee ballot – though the ballot itself did arrive – had never been made. 

“I got it in the mail, and I was just like, ‘Why am I getting an absentee ballot?’” Osorio said. “I ripped it up because I figured I could just go vote in person.”

But when she arrived at the school, she was asked to vote by affidavit, something several others in the same situation were asked to do, as well, she said.  

“It was just annoying,” she added.

In addition to malfunctioning machines, some voters told the Eagle that the split primary and redistricting had left them confused. While most said that they were informed – some, at the last minute – of the election and any potential changes to their district and polling sites, others felt unsure. 

“I can’t follow with all the changes…they make it more complicated every year,” one voter who declined to give his name told the Eagle as he stormed out of the polling site at P.S. 166, spitting in front of the building as he left. 

The Queens resident had been told that he had been redistricted and needed to go to a different polling place than the one he had been voting at for years.  

“I’m not going there,” he said. 

34 comments:

Anonymous said...

I would love to see a Ron DeSantis/Greg Abbott ticket for the Republican Parties Presidential/VP nominee. I would pray they win the Presidential election. Our country can't continue going in the direction it has been.

Anonymous said...

This "Voter Exhaustion" negatively affects the quality of life for all New Yorkers.

Anonymous said...

Keep bringing us the real news JQ. Great job.

Anonymous said...

What’s so surprising ?
POTUS45 26 and 0 tonight, turning numerous tight races into big and easy wins. Overall for last 4 years, 98.4% on Endorsements! President Trump is a winner and anyone he supports is also a winner! Matt Gaetz was also endorsed by Donald Trump, as the Republican beat out Mark Lombardo in a tight primary Tuesday.

Anonymous said...

Check this out folks:

Bill DeBlasio finishes in 10th place, ex-mayor?

Just who the heck voted for him to begin with?

477 votes?

https://twitter.com/RaheemKassam/status/1562428758899900426

As many pointed out, the voter rolls need to be checked, so globalist communist degenerates like DeBozo never ever get close to any political position.
Let him eat crickets!

Anonymous said...

Let’s Go Brandon! Conservative Brandon Williams Defeats GOP Establishment Candidate Funded by Kevin McCarthy in NY GOP Primary

Well done!

An other GOP DNC subsidiary candidate gone.

https://www.syracuse.com/politics/2022/08/brandon-williams-campaign-claims-upset-over-steve-wells-in-gop-primary-for-congress.html

The remaining radical nutjobs are in the 5 boroughs.


Anonymous said...

What's the point of voting anyway?

Illegal immigrants are now getting free phones, free food, and free healthcare, while poor American citizens have to fend for themselves and are being denied services they need because they do not qualify and are told they are on their own.

Soon the United States will be run by illegal immigrants, and we will have to speak their languages and live their customs and live like they do.

NYC is already being run by criminals because the laws mainly protect them, and the victims and the innocent people are punished for the crimes being committed against them.

Liberal, progressive Bullsh*t is killing us, and the politicians do not care.

Anonymous said...

This is all Hillary’s fault

Anonymous said...

Don’t worry. If the Putinists and Trumpanzees get their way, then they’ll be no more elections anyway.

Anonymous said...

Open Your Mind — Don't Lose It
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GiuYgL3JG4&ab_channel=LionelNation

Anonymous said...

@Putinists and Trumpanzees

Too much drugs radical Marxist?
You should not talk about elections, that's the last topic you want yo talk about loser.
Go back to your bike.

Anonymous said...

Exactly what the residents of NYC wanted and voted for! A sanctuary city! Congratulations, enjoy!
5 migrant buses mark the most ever to arrive in NYC from Texas in one day.
https://nypost.com/2022/08/24/5-migrant-buses-mark-the-most-ever-to-arrive-in-nyc-in-one-day/

Anonymous said...

Well, Pio Nino banned voting.

Anonymous said...

If you're a law abiding citizen with critical thinking skills, get out of NYC as soon as you can. Things are only going to get worse.

Anonymous said...

"NO CONSPIRACY": Trump Vindicated by Barr's Russiagate Memo.

Anonymous said...

Sheeple there is hope if you open the mind to change.
RED WAVE! Woke Leftists CRUSHED in School Boards Across Florida!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Avc30S0oecA&ab_channel=Dr.SteveTurley

Anonymous said...

It used to be school board elections drew young parents into local politics. Without school boards, they never register.

NPC_translator said...

"Don’t worry. If the Putinists and Trumpanzees get their way, then they’ll be no more elections anyway."

Liberals always project their own desires on their opponents.

Anonymous said...

Fox Fan said...
I can verify that TA Commie and Rob find tube socks fascinating.

Anonymous said...

Ditch the Witch - give Zeldin a chance.

Anonymous said...

Please endorse AMERICA FIRST candidates!
Our great America needs them now more then ever.

Anonymous said...

Maybe don't hold primaries at the end of August when people are most likely to be away on well-deserved summer vacations?

Anonymous said...

What the hell kind of world are we living in, when Liz Crowley is the better alternative???

Anonymous said...

Get out and vote, and if you can become a poll watcher or better yet a counter, remember Bannon has flipped most election precincts.

Anonymous said...

1776 said...
I remember the good ol days when politicians promised to lower taxes and build bridges and roads.

Anonymous said...

The Flying Bear said...
I have no use for anyone who votes demorat after what they done.

Anonymous said...

Not every liberal is dumb, not all Republicans are racist.
Some Electurds in government wants everybody fighting with their neighbors just to get your vote. TDS is real, just read the stupid comments here day after day.

Anonymous said...

Jim Morrison, "whoever controls the media, controls the mind" !

Anonymous said...

@“ I have no use for anyone who votes demorat after what they done.”
Why? What have they done? Did they try to overthrow the government? Destroy democracy? Sell the country to Russia? Bring us back to the Middle Ages?
No!
Take a hike traitorous TrumpTurd!

Anonymous said...

@“ I have no use for anyone who votes demorat after what they done.”
I hear you but most Sheeple in NYC are brainwashed and will never understand.

Anonymous said...

TDS is real pleas seek help.

Anonymous said...

You are right about the evil of summer primaries and winter petitions. These schemes were developed to increase Board of Elections patronage. The Board of Elections is mostly staffed by ex-convicts and drug addicts, all from homeless shelters. And if they want early voting, the municipal unions should give up their day off on election day. Return primaries to the Tuesday after Labor Day. Return petitioning to wo weeks on either side of the Fourth of July. And make Early Voting only be during the Election Day weekend.

Anonymous said...

@Did they try to overthrow the government? Destroy democracy? Sell the country to Russia?

You got it TA commie. All of the above.

Clinton, Obama and now Bidet did all that.
Your traitorous Commie scum that your are - a big piece of Queens CRAP.

Anonymous said...

Some Anon above thinks that the government was overturned by. Bidet? How strange.

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