For New York State’s first-ever early voting period, Pleasantville residents were able to vote at the Mount Pleasant Community Center.
In this year’s general election, all registered voters who live in the towns of Mount Pleasant (which includes the hamlets of Valhalla, Hawthorne, Pocantico Hills, and Thornwood along with the villages of Pleasantville and Sleepy Hollow) and North Castle were able to cast their ballots at the community center from Saturday, Oct. 26 to Sunday, Nov. 3.
Jeannie L. Palazola, Democratic Deputy Commissioner of the Westchester County Board of Elections, said early voting exceeded her expectations.
“It was a new program [and] a lot of preparation was needed. Locations that would best suit the needs of voters, and workers, who would be able to work during the nine days, had to be found,” she said. “[However], I am happy to say it was better than expected. Voters are very positive.”
Palazola said early voting has many benefits.
“[Voters] can come in any of [the] nine days and not have to worry about long waiting times [on Election Day]. In general, it makes it easy to pick a time that fits people’s busy schedules,” she said.
One of those voters included Angela Nannariello of Mount Pleasant, who said she was grateful to cast her vote before Election Day.
“I work and I start my job early. By the time I get home, it’s late and to run out to vote is too much. Ultimately, [early voting] is less stressful,” she said.
The extended voting period is the result of a bill that was passed by the New York State Legislature in January, with supporters hoping it would increase voter turnout.
Jennifer Castelhano, the Director of Constituent Services for State Senator Pete Harckham, said “enabling greater access to voting ensures that people will participate. New York was one of the few states that did not allow early voting before the last session and our low voter participation is causally related to that.”
Last year, New York ranked 42ndnationwide in voter turnout. With this recent change in election law, Harckham believes turnout will increase, Castelhano added.
Residents who were unable to vote during the early voting period will have the chance to do so on Tuesday, Nov. 5 at their usual Election Day polling places.