Attorney General James announces election protection hotline

OAG will troubleshoot voting issues during early voting and on Election Day

√ Voters experiencing problems can call 866-390-2992, submit complaints online, or email [email protected]

New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) will make its Election protection hotline available for the Nov. 8 election, and during New York’s early voting period (Saturday, Oct. 29, through Sunday, Nov. 6).

The hotline will be available to troubleshoot and resolve a range of issues encountered by voters, including voting by absentee ballot or in person at their polling place. Voters who experience problems can report issues to OAG by calling the hotline at 866-390-2992, submitting complaints online, or emailing [email protected]. The OAG has also created a guide addressing frequently asked questions to assist voters.

“The right to vote is the very foundation of our democracy,” James said. “My office will always defend New Yorkers’ access to the ballot box, and I will ensure every voter’s right to be heard in the halls of power. Our election protection hotline is here to help voters address challenges and provide helpful guidance, whether they’re voting absentee, during early voting, or on Election Day.”

Voters experiencing problems are encouraged to call OAG’s hotline at 866-390-2992, submit complaints online, or email [email protected] to request election-related assistance in advance of the election.

The telephone hotline will be open between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, through Sunday, Nov. 6, and between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8. Written requests for election-related assistance may be submitted at any time through the online complaint form or via email. Hotline calls and written requests for election-related assistance are processed by OAG attorneys and staff.

The OAG has operated its election protection hotline since November 2012. During previous elections, OAG fielded hundreds – and sometimes thousands – of complaints from voters across the state, and worked with local election officials and others to address issues. The OAG has also taken legal action to protect against voter registration purges and to ensure that voters have adequate and equitable access to vote early as required by law.

All registered voters have the right to accessible elections. Polls are required to be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and, if voters are in line before closing, they must be allowed to vote. In addition, all registered voters have the right to vote free from coercion or intimidation, whether by election officials or any other person.

The OAG will receive and respond to election complaints relating to any of the statutes that OAG enforces.