Attorney General James announces Election Day protection hotline

Voters experiencing problems can consult frequently asked questions, call 866-390-2992, or request assistance online

Submitted by the Office of the New York Attorney General

New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) will make its election protection hotline available for the upcoming Nov. 7 election and during New York’s early voting period, which runs from Saturday, Oct. 28, through Sunday, Nov. 5. The hotline will be available to troubleshoot and resolve a range of issues encountered by voters, including issues with voting by absentee ballot or in-person at their polling place. A guide addressing frequently asked questions is also currently available to assist voters with the absentee ballot request process and voter registration issues in advance of the election.

“Free and fair elections are integral to the foundation of our democracy,” James said. “My office will always defend New Yorkers’ right to vote, and I will ensure every voter is able to cast their ballot free from fear or intimidation. 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.”

New Yorkers are protected from voter intimidation, deception and obstruction under state and federal law. James urges voters experiencing problems voting to call the OAG hotline at 866-390-2992, or submit a complaint online to request election-related assistance. The telephone hotline will be open between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. during early voting (Saturday, Oct. 28 through Sunday, Nov. 5), and between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 7. The hotline will also be available on Wednesday, Nov. 8, between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. to help voters who need assistance following Election Day. Written requests for election-related assistance may be submitted at any time through the online form. 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. On Election Day, 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, including the newly operative New York Voting Rights Act.

The OAG Election Day hotline is being coordinated by the voting rights section, headed by Section Chief Lindsay McKenzie, with assistant attorneys general Bethany Perskie and Edward Fenster. The voting rights section is part of the civil rights bureau, overseen by Bureau Chief Sandra Park and Deputy Bureau Chief Travis England. The civil rights bureau is a part of the division for social justice, which is led by Chief Deputy Attorney General Meghan Faux and overseen by First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy.