AARP NY on Invalid Ballots in Brooklyn: ‘No One Should be Disenfranchised’ for Voting Absentee

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Heartened by NYC Board of Elections’ Quick Response; Urges Heightened Vigilance to Ensure Safe Voting

NEW YORK, N.Y. — AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel issued the following statement today in response to widespread reports of voters in Brooklyn receiving invalid absentee ballots:

“Many New Yorkers, especially older citizens, are planning to vote absentee in the upcoming November elections.  Following absentee ballot problems in the June primaries, we had hoped for a much more flawless process for the upcoming elections that would guarantee New Yorkers the right to cast their vote and make their voice heard. 

“Unfortunately, we are already seeing problems with a significant number of voters in Brooklyn receiving inaccurate ballots, which they cannot use to cast their vote.

“No one should be disenfranchised simply because they choose to vote from home out of concern for their health and the health of their neighbors, or because they are physically unable to go to the polls. We are especially concerned about communities of color, which have consistently been disenfranchised and have borne the brunt of the pandemic’s health and economic impacts.

“We are heartened to see the Board of Elections’ quick response and commitment to get valid ballots to all voters. But we also hope that the BOE will be more vigilant than ever in running an elections process that is accurate and makes voting frustration-free for New Yorkers.”

Anyone who has experienced a problem can contact the New York City Board of Elections by email at AbsenteeHelp@boe.nyc or by phone from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday at 866-868-3692. Staff is available through the automated phone system during business hours. Automated assistance is also available in Cantonese, Korean, Mandarin, and Spanish. Call volume is often high. If you receive a busy signal or can't get through, call back later.

Contact: Erik Kriss, ekriss@aarp.org

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About AARP

AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.

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