Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Comptroller Stringer and NYC Retirement Systems Announce 34 S&P 100 Companies Will Publicly Disclose Workforce Demographics

 

Campaign more than doubles the number of U.S. public companies that will disclose their Consolidated EEO-1 Report, representing a 243% increase of S&P 100 companies, so that now nearly one half of all S&P 100 companies will be transparent.

Coca-Cola, Citigroup, Visa, Pfizer, Morgan Stanley, PepsiCo, Starbucks, Target, MasterCard, Verizon, representing a majority of the campaign’s 67 focus companies committing to disclose their EEO-1 Report

Success comes as direct result of the Comptroller and the Retirement Systems’ efforts launched in July calling on major companies that issued statements supporting racial equality and/or diversity and inclusion to match their words with concrete actions

 New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer, on behalf of the New York City Employees’ Retirement System, Teachers Retirement System of the City of New York and New York City Board of Education Retirement System (the “Systems”), announced that 34 S&P 100 companies which issued statements supporting racial equality will publicly disclose the composition of their workforce by race, ethnicity, and gender. This victory is a direct result of a national campaign launched in July by Comptroller Stringer and the Retirement Systems’ which called on 67 companies to match their statements affirming their commitments to racial equality and diversity and inclusion with concrete action, by publicly disclosing their annual EEO-1 Report data.

“It is not enough to condemn racism in words. I applaud these leading companies for taking this critical first step where they will make a direct impact within their own workplaces and set the tone for EEO-1 Report disclosure across the market,” said New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer. “By publicly disclosing the demographics of employees by race, gender, and ethnicity – including leadership roles and senior management – these companies will provide crucial information for shareowners to better understand diversity and workforce practices – and identify areas for growth. Companies are strongest when their workforce reflects the diversity of America, and I commend the CEOs of these leading companies for taking steps toward better transparency and representation. We still have much more work to do, and together with the New York City Retirement Systems we will continue building on this success to hold companies accountable and create meaningful, systemic change in corporate America.”

The Consolidated EEO-1 Report is the “gold standard” for diversity disclosure and will enable investors to evaluate the performance of portfolio companies in terms of their ability to hire, retain, and promote employees of color and women. At present, there are only 29 public companies that currently disclose their Consolidated EEO-1 Report, of which only 14 are in the S&P 100.  The Comptroller’s campaign results in a 243% increase to 48 S&P 100 companies becoming more transparent about their employees.

The 34 companies that have begun or committed to disclose EEO-1 Report data are:

  • AbbVie Inc.,
  • Amazon.com, Inc.
  • American International Group, Inc.
  • American Tower Corporation (REIT)
  • Amgen Inc.
  • Biogen Inc.
  • BlackRock, Inc.
  • Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
  • Capital One Financial Corporation
  • Chevron Corporation
  • Citigroup Inc.
  • ConocoPhillips
  • Duke Energy
  • Exelon Corporation
  • General Motors Company
  • Gilead Sciences, Inc.
  • Goldman Sachs
  • Mastercard Incorporated
  • Medtronic PLC
  • Morgan Stanley
  • PayPal Holdings, Inc.
  • PepsiCo, Inc.
  • Pfizer Inc.
  • QUALCOMM Incorporated
  • Starbucks Corporation
  • Target Corporation
  • The Southern Company
  • The Allstate Corporation
  • The Coca-Cola Company
  • UnitedHealth Group Incorporated
  • U.S. Bancorp
  • Verizon Communications Inc.
  • Visa Inc.
  • Wells Fargo & Company

In July, Comptroller Stringer and the Retirement Systems sent letters to the CEOs of 67 S&P 100 companies citing the need for these companies to publicly release data that would enable investors to measure the success of their diversity and inclusion practices, which are fundamental to the creation of long-term shareowner value. Companies were asked to provide a written commitment by August 30, 2020 to publicly disclose their EEO-1 Report effective upon its next submission to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in 2021 or risk potential submission of shareholder proposals or opposition to the election of director nominees standing for re-election at the next annual shareowner meeting. For the focus list of companies, click here.

Specifically, the Comptroller and the Systems requested the Consolidated EEO-1 Report itself, which provides the actual number for each employment category. This disclosure gives investors and the public a comprehensive breakdown of a company’s U.S. workforce by race, ethnicity and gender according to 10 employment categories, including, importantly, senior management, defined to incorporate individuals within two reporting levels of the CEO.

Full disclosure of the EEO-1 Report provides investors with critical information that disclosure of diversity metrics selectively collected by management or partial EEO-1 disclosure does not. In particular, full public disclosure provides:

  • Standardized, quantitative, relevant and comparable employment data across companies and industries, so that investors can assess the representation and progress of black employees and other employees of color and women at various levels of the corporation;
  • Specific data on senior management diversity – in addition to setting a strong tone at the top for diversity, research by McKinsey suggests that companies in the top quartile for gender and ethnic/cultural diversity on executive teams have stronger financial performance;
  • Particularized data that will allow investors to assess the representation and progress of specific racial and ethnic groups by gender, such as black female employees. Disclosing only percentage representations prohibits meaningful, year-over-year comparisons.

Disclosure of EEO-1 Report data also provides the board and management with distinct advantages. In the first instance, it provides a cost-effective means to demonstrate substantive progress in diversity and inclusion practices since the company already collects the data for submission to the EEOC. In addition, some companies resist disclosing their Consolidated EEO-1 Report because they believe the mandated categories do not align with their particular organizational structure, however, disclosure of EEO-1 Report data does not prohibit any qualitative or quantitative disclosures that management believes reflect a company’s organizational structure or demonstrate the company’s performance.

Moreover, to the extent there is widespread adoption, another salutary effect of the disclosure of EEO-1 Report data may be the ability of the board also to benchmark the company’s own data to those of its peers, thereby facilitating the board’s oversight of company human capital management practices.

Comptroller Stringer serves as the investment advisor to, and custodian and a trustee of, the New York City Retirement Systems.

In addition to Comptroller Stringer, the participating New York City Retirement Systems’ trustees are:

New York City Employees’ Retirement System (NYCERS): Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Representative, John Adler (Chair); New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams; Borough Presidents: Gale Brewer (Manhattan), Sharon Lee (Queens), Eric Adams (Brooklyn), James Oddo (Staten Island), and Ruben Diaz, Jr. (Bronx); Henry Garrido, Executive Director, District Council 37, AFSCME; Tony Utano, President Transport Workers Union Local 100; Gregory Floyd, President, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 237.

Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS): Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Appointee, John Adler; Chancellor’s Representative, Lindsey Oates, New York City Department of Education; Natalie Green Giles; and Debra Penny (Chair), Thomas Brown and David Kazansky, all of the United Federation of Teachers.

Board of Education Retirement System (BERS): Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza; Mayoral: Isaac Carmignami, Natalie Green Giles, Vanessa Leung, Gary Linnen, Lori Podvesker, Shannon Waite, Michael Kraft (Manhattan BP), Debrorah Dillingham (Queens BP), April Chapman (Brooklyn BP), Geneal Chacon (Bronx BP) and Peter Calandrella (Staten Island BP); Thomas C. Sheppard, Kathy Park Price, Natalie Green Giles, Russell Buckley, Chris Attianese, Shaun D. Francois; and employee members John Maderich of the IUOE Local 891 and Donald Nesbit of District Council 37, Local 372;

Governor Cuomo Deploys Rapid Result Testing Machines to Address Recent Uptick in Cases in Cluster Zip Codes

 

.5 Percent of Yesterday's COVID-19 Tests were Positive

10 ZIP Codes in NYS - Where 3 Percent of NYS Population Resides - Accounted for 27 Percent of Positive Tests

State Deploying Up to 200 Rapid Result Testing Machines and Kits to ZIP Codes with Upticks in Cases

Hospitalizations and Intubations Remain Flat; Number of ICU Patients Down

SLA and State Police Task Force Visits 988 Establishments; Observes 5 Establishments Not in Compliance

Confirms 834 Additional Coronavirus Cases in New York State - Bringing Statewide Total to 456,460; New Cases in 42 Counties

Governor Cuomo: "Focus on the clusters. We have 200 rapid testing machines that we're going to make immediately available today. The private schools that are in those zip codes, I strongly encourage to request a rapid testing machine and have them start testing their students. Rapid testing machines are 15 minutes turn around for a test. You can do 4 per hour. We can make those available today, tomorrow. We can provide staff, Department of Health staff, to operate those machines if the local governments can't. That's every private and public school in those zip codes. To the local governments in those zip codes, it's the same offer."

Cuomo: "A number of local governments closed shelters during COVID. The state will put out guidance; they should reopen those shelters and they should open COVID-safe shelters. We know how to open schools; we know how to open restaurants; we know how to open flexible art space; we know how to open shelters. The weather is getting cold. Nobody should be living on the street. Nobody should be living on the street, especially in the middle of a global health pandemic. The public is anxious for their own public health and I understand that. I'm anxious about the health of homeless people. The cities - counties also - should reopen their shelters."

 I just want to give you more, an update on what we're seeing in the numbers when we look at the zip codes. The top 20 zip codes in the state - remember there are 1,769 zip codes, okay? - if you look at the top 20 zip codes in the state, they have an infection rate of about 10 percent. The statewide rate is about 1 percent if you don't count those top 20 zip codes. In those zip codes it's about 9 percent. If you focus on the top 10, the infection rate in the top 10 zip codes is about 15 percent. Those top 10 zip codes represent 2.9 percent of the state's population and 25 percent of the cases. 2.9 percent of the population, 25 percent of the cases, positive cases. So that's what the testing and the data does for you so target those top 10 zip codes.

Rockland County, zip code 10977, 30 percent tested positive. Rockland County, 10952, 25 percent positive. Orange, 10950, 22 percent positive. Kings, 11219, 17 percent. Kings, 11210, 11 percent. Kings, 11204, 9 percent. Kings, 11230, 9 percent. So, Queens 11367, 6 percent.

Focus on the clusters. We have 200 rapid testing machines that we're going to make immediately available today. The private schools that are in those zip codes, I strongly encourage to request a rapid testing machine and have them start testing their students. Rapid testing machines are 15 minutes turn around for a test. You can do 4 per hour. We can make those available today, tomorrow. We can provide staff, Department of Health staff, to operate those machines if the local governments can't. That's every private and public school in those zip codes.

To the local governments in those zip codes, it's the same offer. We will deploy rapid testing machines, 15-minute turn around, to local governments to focus on those cluster zip codes. Also, local governments should focus on those cluster zip codes in terms of mask enforcement and compliance enforcement in addition to testing. Testing, mask compliance, social distancing requirements - those zip codes, bars, restaurants, masks and additional testing. We have 200 machines that we will earmark just for that cluster.

The key to these clusters is to jump on them quickly, attack them from all sides, get the testing so you can do contact tracing and you can isolate. Get mask compliance up, hand sanitizer and gathering compliance - bars, restaurants, et cetera. We will be contacting the local governments and the schools. To accelerate this, I'm calling on the local governments and the schools to contact us if they need the machines, if they can use the machines and we'll send staff. Public schools, private schools and local governments.

One other point - there are a number of homeless encampments, primarily in urban areas across the state. People have been complaining about them, as they should. Not only is a homeless encampment a violation of that homeless person's dignity, it's also a public health threat now. People get nervous when they walk passed them. So, it's a public health threat for people who come in contact with homeless people on the street and it's a public health threat for homeless people.

A number of local governments closed shelters during COVID. The state will put out guidance; they should reopen those shelters and they should open COVID-safe shelters. We know how to open schools; we know how to open restaurants; we know how to open flexible art space; we know how to open shelters.

The weather is getting cold. Nobody should be living on the street. Nobody should be living on the street, especially in the middle of a global health pandemic. The public is anxious for their own public health and I understand that. I'm anxious about the health of homeless people. The cities - counties also - should reopen their shelters.

We'll put out guidance early this week on COVID-safe, but they know, basically, how to make a facility COVID-safe because they've all been doing it on a number of applications but, the shelters have to open. It's getting cold. Get homeless people off the streets and into a safe shelter.

Governor Cuomo Announces Moratorium on COVID-Related Residential Evictions Will Be Extended Until January 1, 2021


Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the State's Tenant Safe Harbor Act will be expanded until January 1, 2021 to protect additional residential tenants from eviction if they are suffering financial hardship during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The Executive Order extends the protections of the Tenant Safe Harbor Act to eviction warrants that existed prior to the start of the pandemic.

"As New York continues to fight the pandemic, we want to make sure New Yorkers who are still struggling financially will not be forced from their homes as a result of COVID," Governor Cuomo said. "We are extending the protections of the Safe Harbor Act through January 1 because we want tenants to have fundamental stability in their lives as we recover from this crisis."

Governor Cuomo first announced a State moratorium on residential and commercial evictions on March 20 to ensure no tenant was evicted during the height of the public health emergency. The Governor signed the Tenant Safe Harbor Act on June 30 which became effective immediately as well as additional legislation providing financial assistance to residential renters and landlords. Additionally, previous Executive Orders have prohibited charges or fees for late rent payments, and tenants facing financial hardship can still use their security deposit as payment and repay their security deposit over time.

Earlier this month, the State's moratorium on COVID-related commercial evictions and foreclosures was extended by Governor Cuomo by Executive Order, until October 20th. This measure extends protections already in place for commercial tenants and mortgagors in recognition of the financial toll the pandemic has taken on business owners, including retail establishments and restaurants. The extension of this protection gives commercial tenants and mortgagors additional time to get back on their feet and catch up on rent or their mortgage, or to renegotiate their lease terms to avoid foreclosure moving forward. 

 

This is who we see as the favorite to win in the 15th City Council race. 



Elisa Crespo Gains Major Endorsements for City Council
 
Progressive Council Leaders Rosenthal, Van Bramer join LGBTQ Victory Fund, local leaders in supporting Crespo
 
Elisa Crespo, Democratic candidate in the 15th Council District, today is announcing major endorsements for her campaign, including City Council Members Helen Rosenthal and Jimmy Van Bramer; District Leaders Melissa Sklarz, John Blasco, and Samuel Nemir Olivares; the LGBTQ Victory Fund; and Northwest Bronx Democrats. Crespo was the only candidate running for election in 2021 included in this round of endorsements from the LGBTQ Victory Fund.
 
"The Bronx is facing difficult challenges, but we are resilient. With strong leadership, we'll create good-paying jobs and a dignified wage; ensure a just recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic; fund a quality education system; support our families, seniors, and small businesses; modernize our transit infrastructure; cancel rent; and deliver new affordable housing. I am ready to deliver for the community that has given me so much," said Crespo.
 
"I am proud to endorse Elisa Crespo for the 15th Council District. More than any other candidate, Elisa Crespo has been fighting for income inequality, jobs, and education, and is a bold leader standing against racial and gender injustice. Elisa has a plan and is the most qualified candidate to implement these changes once elected to the City Council," said New York City Council Member Helen Rosenthal, Chair of the Committee on Woman and Gender Equity.
 
"I'm proud to support Elisa Crespo for City Council because I know she will represent her district with passion, grit and conviction. Elisa is a trailblazer whose life story demonstrates her inner strength. We need more activists with the courage to fight for working people and lift up those who need a champion. Elisa is and will be that champion," said New York City Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer.
 
"I met Elisa Crespo as part of the Bronx Borough President's staff as part of the LGBT Policy Advisory team. In a short amount of time, I discovered her intelligence, passion, and vision for our community, for the Bronx and for New York. Elisa Crespo is the leader we need in the City Council and the 15th District and I am so proud to support her candidacy," said District Leader Melissa Sklarz.
 
"I am proud to endorse Elisa Crespo for City Council. During this difficult time of COVID19 I've seen Elisa step up to protect her community and engage with leaders around the city to make sure her district has the resources they need. We need a fighter for District 15 and Elisa embodies just that!" said District Leader John Blasco.
 
"When elected in the Bronx, Elisa Crespo will become the first transgender person in the City Council and to hold a legislative office in the state of New York. This historic advancement will cause ripple effects throughout the country confirming that LGBTQ and transgender candidates are as qualified and talented. I'm excited about Elisa's campaign - she's pushing a transformative and creative vision that includes a municipal jobs guarantee program for low-income people and vulnerable populations, and fighting for housing and environmental justice. Her personal life experiences - going through economic hardship, discrimination, sex work, family issues, and being a working-class New Yorker - Elisa understands the struggles and opportunities needed of everyday New Yorkers. She's smart, eloquent, and shares an electric and contagious energy that will inspire many in the fight for social justice," said District Leader Samuel Nemir Olivares.  
 
"We're proud to endorse Elisa Crespo, who is running to represent the 15th District in the Bronx on the New York City Council. Elisa is a trailblazing, trans Latina whose historic run is significant for the LGBTQ community. Elisa is poised to be the first trans voice on the New York City Council from the Bronx. Her allyship and solidarity with the LGBTQ movement will deliver unprecedented representation in local politics," said Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund.
 
"Elisa possesses a unique sense of justice, bravery, and inclusion that will be a refreshing change to Bronx Politics. We're proud to support her and her historic campaign for City Council," said Anthony Rivieccio and Sheila Sanchez of Northwest Bronx Democrats.
 
Born and raised in New York City, Crespo has called the Bronx her home for the last 10 years. A product of NYC public schools, she holds a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science with a minor in Human Rights, from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Crespo currently serves as the Education Liaison at the Bronx Borough President's office, making her the first openly transgender woman of color to work for a borough-wide office in the Bronx. In her role at the Borough President's office, Crespo has helped countless families navigate the bureaucracy that is NYC's Education system. As a working-class latina, the product of public housing, public transportation, public healthcare, and public schools, Crespo is committed to addressing inequities in our city. For more information about Crespo and her campaign, visit https://www.elisacrespo.com

Councilman Andy King Annual Back to School Giveaway with the Bronx YEP

  

Saturday was the annual Andy King Community Back to School Giveaway, free food giveaway, and meet Rapper Melle Mel in front of the Gun Post Lanes on Gun Hill Road. Tables were set for many different information and giveaways. Montefiore Hospital, the Montefiore Mosholu Community Center, American Cancer Society, Fresh Direct, and free bowling from the Gun Post lanes. Delicious food was provided by Chef K of Karibbean Flavor, also by McDonalds and White Castle. 

Over one-hundred boxes of food provided by Fresh Direct were handed out to area residents, but the almost two hundred people came to see rapper Melle Mel,  who did not disappoint them. The rapper stayed after performing to take photos with many of the people, and he even helped hand out the boxes of food from Fresh Direct with Councilman King. Members of the Youth Empowerment Program helped and then went inside the bowling alley to try their hands at bowling, many for the first time.

Above - Members of the Youth Empowerment Program with Councilman Andy King, Council Candidate Brian Melford, Rapper Melle Mel, and members of the National Action Network.

Below - Councilman King and Rapper Melle Mel are surrounded by the people who were at the various tables where there were free giveaways, Free food, or information. 




Above - Rapper Melle Mel gets right up into the camera lens.

Below - Councilman King thanks Rapper Melle Mel for his performance.





Above - Rapper Melle Mel helped hand out the boxes of food provided by Fresh Direct, as he places one box in this woman's wagon.

Below - Some of the many tables that had free giveaways or information 




The best food was being given out by Chef K of Karibbean Flavor.

Monday, September 28, 2020

MAYOR DE BLASIO SIGNS BILLS TO EXPAND PROTECTIONS FOR WORKERS, CONSUMERS, AND COMMERCIAL TENANTS

 

 Mayor Bill de Blasio today signed into law a package of bills that will expand protections for workers, consumers, and commercial tenants. The bills extend and expand the City’s paid safe and sick leave law to reach more workers, reinforce and extend protections for commercial tenants, and protect the jobs of hotel workers.

 

“Today is about justice for hard working New Yorkers,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “From expanding paid sick leave, to protecting our commercial tenants and hotel workers, these bills are crucial to standing by New Yorkers who have worked through the worst of this pandemic and are now helping our City get back on our feet.”

 

The bills are:

 

Intro. 2032-A (Cohen): Aligns the City’s Paid Safe and Sick Leave Law with recently enacted New York State Paid Sick Leave Law. The law expands paid safe and sick leave to employees of small businesses with four or fewer employees and a net income of more than $1 million. This legislation also expands paid leave for workers at the largest businesses, those with 100 or more employees must now provide up to 56 hours of paid sick leave. It also brings domestic workers in line with other private sector workers by allowing them to accrue and use leave the same as other private sector workers.

 

Intro. 2083-A (Rivera): Amends Local Law 55 of 2020, which temporarily prohibits the enforcement of personal liability provisions in commercial leases or rental agreements involving COVID-19 impacted tenants, by extending the sunset date of this protection from September 30, 2020 to March 31, 2021. 

 

Intro 2049-A (Levine): Establishes protections for displaced hotel service workers in the event of a sale or transfer of a hotel. New owners will be required to provide existing employment and maintain wages for a period of 90 days. At the end of the 90-day period, the new employer would perform an evaluation of the worker. Intro 2049-A also establishes consumer protections and notice requirements for service disruptions for guests of hotels. 

 

 “Since Paid Sick Leave’s passing in 2014, we’ve expanded it to include safe leave, closed almost 2,000 investigations and secured millions in restitution for more than 36,000 workers. Now, with more paid hours and no waiting period to use them, as well as expanded protections for domestic workers, we can help even more New Yorkers during a time where sick leave is crucial,” said Department of Consumer and Worker Protection Commissioner Lorelei Salas. “If you would like to learn more about your sick leave rights or file a complaint, you can contact our office at nyc.gov/workers or by calling 311.”

 

“COVID-19 has heightened the challenges around rent affordability, paid sick leave, and consumer protections. It has forced us to think creatively about solutions,” said Jonnel Doris, Commissioner of NYC Department of Small Business Services.  “These new provisions protect our hardest working New Yorkers and uplifts our business owner, commercial tenants, and hotel workers as we all work to recover."

 

“It is imperative that we do all we can to help working class New Yorkers and protect local businesses, and this is why the City Council passed a package of bills expanding the City’s paid sick leave to include more people, protecting displaced hotel workers and extending protections for small business owners. These laws are about fairness, and will be critical to support thousands of New Yorkers as we battle this pandemic,” said City Council Speaker Corey Johnson.


Council Member Ruben Diaz Sr - EVANGELICAL MINISTERS. SUPPORT CATHOLIC JUDGE AMY CONEY BARRETT

 

What You Should Know
By Councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz
District 18, Bronx County


EVANGELICAL MINISTERS. SUPPORT
CATHOLIC JUDGE
AMY CONEY BARRETT

 
September 25, 2020
 

Hon. Donald J. Trump
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington D.C.
 

Dear Mr. President:
 

As a New York City Councilman, elected by the residents of the 18th District in Bronx County, New York, also as the Senior Pastor of The Christian Community Neighborhood Church and on behalf of the (139) {mostly Democrats}New York Hispanic Clergy Organization and its members, ministers, pastors, and bishops, mentioned below, I want to extend these lines to express to you our gratitude, satisfaction, and admiration for your committed promise, to the American people, to appoint constitutional judges, especially to the Supreme Court Judge Amy Coney Barrett.
 

As Evangelical ministers in New York State, mostly residing in New York City, we want to publicly thank you for, not only making the promise, but also for fulfilling it.  You have demonstrated your commitment to appoint judges who are dedicated to defending and protecting the integrity of the Constitution of the United States. We have seen your effort to defend the right to life, and religious liberty for people of faith.  
 

Know that we will be praying for you, members of your cabinet, your family and for this entire nation. We pray that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ grant you peace, and the strength to lead this nation forward, as one nation, one people under God.
 

 
Respectfully
 
___________________________
Councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz Sr.,

and the (139) ministers of the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization. 

Senator Alessandra Biaggi - How to Vote in District 34

 

Senator Alessandra Biaggi

Dear Community, 

As we continue to adapt to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, my colleagues and I passed several laws to safeguard every New York voter’s access to the ballot box this November – including my legislation to expand eligibility to vote by absentee ballot amid the public health crisis. This year, New York voters have three options to safely and easily cast their ballots: by mail (absentee), during early voting, or in person on Election Day. However you choose to vote, I urge you to plan ahead now so your voice is heard in the upcoming election. 

Voting by Mail (Absentee Ballot)

The first voting option is by mail, also known as voting by absentee ballot. This summer my legislation S.8015D was signed into law to allow all New York voters to vote absentee this November due to the ongoing pandemic. You can request an absentee ballot online by filling out the application form at absenteeballot.elections.ny.gov, or by mailing, emailing, or faxing a copy of the form, which can be downloaded in multiple languages at www.elections.ny.gov, to your County Board of Elections. If you are voting absentee due to concerns about COVID, you must select “temporary illness” as your reason for requesting an absentee ballot on the application form.

If you plan to vote absentee, I encourage you to request your ballot as soon as possibleto ensure you have time to receive it and return it. 

  • Your application must be submitted online, via email, faxed, or postmarked no later than October 27th, or delivered personally to your County Board of Elections no later than the day before Election Day, November 2nd.
  • Your ballot must be postmarked no later than Election Day, November 3rd, and received in the mail no later than seven days later, November 10th. 

Voters can also drop off their completed absentee ballot at their: (1) County Board of Elections office by November 3rd, (2) early voting site from October 24th to November 1st, or (3) polling site on Election Day. 

New York City voters can track the status of their absentee ballots by visiting www.nycabsentee.com/tracking

You can find more information about requesting a ballot and vote by mail deadlines at www.elections.ny.gov/votingabsentee.html.

Voting Early

The second voting option is voting early in-person between October 24th and November 1st. New York City voters can locate their early voting site and its operating hours on the NYC Board of Elections website here. Westchester voters can vote early at ANY of these locations during operating hours. You must wear a mask or face covering and maintain six feet of distance from others when at your early voting site.

Voting on Election Day

The third voting option is to cast your ballot in-person on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3rd. NYC voters can find their Election Day polling site here, and Westchester voters can find their site here. Polls are open from 6AM to 9PM. You must wear a mask or face covering and maintain six feet of distance from others when at your polling site.  

Register to Vote 

Lastly, if you haven’t already registered to vote or updated your voting address, you can do so by filling out a voter registration form located at www.elections.ny.gov, in either English or Spanish, and mailing it or delivering it to your County Board of Elections. You can also request a voter registration form be mailed to you at www.elections.ny.gov or by calling 1-800-FOR-VOTE. Your voter registration form must be postmarked no later than October 9th and received by the Board of Elections no later than October 14th for you to be eligible to vote in the November election. The deadline to drop off your registration form in-person is October 9th.

If you have a New York State-issued ID from the DMV, you can register to vote or change your address online at dmv.ny.gov until October 9th.

If you have any questions regarding voting this fall, you can always reach out to your local Board of Elections or contact my office at biaggi@nysenate.gov or 718-822-2049. 

Remember –– your vote, your voice! 

With Gratitude, 

State Senator Alessandra Biaggi