It’s a bit too much.
I am a huge supporter of the right to vote. But, in the city of Albany, I’ll have WAY too many opportunities in 2016. And except for the first item, this would also apply to the rest of the state.
*High school referendum revote: February 9. Polls Open 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Vote at the elementary school.
*Presidential Primary: April 19. Polls Open 12 noon-9 p.m. Vote at the library.
The polling hours, not incidentally, are a source of irritation among some of us in upstate New York. Nine hours represent the shortest number of hours of any state in the country. Meanwhile, the polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., the GREATEST number of hours in the country, if you live in New York City or the counties of Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Putnam, and Erie; all are downstate, except for Erie County, which includes the city of Buffalo.
Also, for already registered voters, any change to party enrollment was to have been requested by October 9th, 2015 in order for it to have gone into effect and be applicable for ANY primary election occurring in 2016. The deadline for new voter registrations was March 25th. This meant that you were a registered voter in 2015, but not enrolled as either a Democrat or Republican, then decided in November 2015, that you wanted to vote in five months for Bernie or Hillary or Ted or the Donald or John Kasich, you were out of luck.
New York has, by a period of at least three months, the most restrictive access to the primary ballot.
*City School District of Albany’s budget vote: May 17. Polls open 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Vote at the elementary school.
Also includes the library trustees and the library budget, but NOT the school board, which is elected in November.
*Federal Primary Election: June 28. Polls Open 12 noon-9 p.m. Vote at the library.
Member, United States Senate (1)
Member, U.S. House of Representatives, 20th Congressional District
There has been a push to combine at least the Presidential primary with that for other federal candidates, or the non-Presidential federal primary with the state and local contests. OBVIOUSLY, that hasn’t worked out yet.
(As it turns out, I have nothing to vote for here, but others in the state will.)
*Primary Election: September 13. Polls Open 12 noon- 9 p.m. Vote at the library.
These may not all be contested, but these are the offices that could be up:
New York State Senate
Justice of the Supreme Court, 3rd JD (2)
Member, New York State Assembly
District Attorney (County) – 4-year term
County Court Judge (1) – 10-year term
Albany City Court Judge (1) – 10-year term
*General Election: November 8. Polls Open 6 a.m.- 9 p.m. Vote at the library.
As you can see, I will have a plethora of opportunities to cast my ballot, at two different venues. If there were contests at each of these levels, that’d be SIX times I’d vote; alas, it’s only five, merely tying my personal record from 1976, two of which were school budget votes.
Although I don’t really know that much about politics.. and I never use my right to vote ….
I feel troubled when the thought comes to my mind that D.T. might get his hands on the presidency …. it scares me even! For all good peoples sake I hope he never will.
OMG! That’s a lot of voting. How are the turnouts? I think that if I had all those opportunities to vote, I’d probably pass on some of them. The only thing I’m worried about is if Trump gets in – what a racist, blanket blank SOB! And one of my girlfriends thinks he’s wonderful…huh? I don’t discuss politics with her because when she gets going, you can’t get a word in edgewise and I’m always wrong. Period!
Leslie
abcw team
I always vote except the last local council elections as
I had absolutely no confidence in any of the candidates.
Hilary or Trump?
Lord help us all if either of those two get their hand on
the Nuclear button!
Di xx
The right to vote should be accompanied by the responsibility to acquaint oneself with the workings of government. Our last election saw a great increase in ‘young’ voters and we now have a poster-boy-celebrity Prime Minister, – great hair and a sunny smile, but not much else to recommend him….
Go out!
My ABC WEDNESDAY
I do not know much about politics.
May the best win
Wow, that is quite a list Roger! I appreciate California’s consolidated elections even more now. Twice a year max unless there is some sort of County emergency I think.
I have always voted since 1977 this is the first time I feel zero confidence in both of the top nominees.
I do wish California had primaries much sooner (today is election day here) to make our voices heard more clearly.
I will vote in November; I voted in our primary in May. I usually know for whom I’ll vote, but this year, not so much. I even rather dread it for the first time in my voting experience.
US presidential election results will have a far-reaching impact on the global dynamics – directly or indirectly. Hopefully the American voters will do the right thing by their country and the world 🙂
If Trump wins we will be back to 1933!
Roger another thing, which I forgot to tell you:I am in England now till next week Wednesday, so I don’t know what I can do about visiting blogging friends!
Wil, ABCWTeam
V for voting. I cannot believe I did not think of that! It was right under my nose. Hurray for you, Roger (on many levels).
Janis
GDP
Before I go out and vote I do study what the person stands for and what all the propositions will do, if you don’t know you are voting blindly. It’s going to be an exciting time here in the U.S. in the next 6 months.
Ann
Democracy in action. I nearly did vote too as we have a biggie coming up whether to stay in or come out of the EU (lots of banners to photo). So many people tried to register to vote yesterday that they broke the website (don’t ask me why they left it to the last possible moment).
I had no idea some states did not combine elections for local, state, and federal offices and measures. Or that times could start as late as noon. Doesn’t seem right. I hope that you get a decent turnout of voters at all your elections. I’m in CA and in my county only 25% of registered voters showed up at the polls yesterday or at the registrar’s office during the weeks allowed beforehand, or sent in an absentee ballot. And, we have a lot of complainers about government in our county.
That is a good choice for the alphabet!A good reminder about our duty to vote. 🙂
Voting is fundamental right of the citizen. One who does not vote has no right to criticize the functioning of elected body.
Timely for the letter V. Our state has gone totally mail in ballots. I’m looking forward to all of this being over.