How Sandy victims can vote, find polling places via text, email, fax
Updated Nov. 6, 12:38 p.m. ET.
One of the many problems to arise in the wake of Superstorm Sandy is where residents of New York and New Jersey should vote on Nov. 6.
The Category 1 hurricane, which was downgraded by landfall, devastated the U.S. East Coast on Oct. 29, leaving tens of thousands of people displaced. Among some of the most affected from the storm are residents of New York and New Jersey.
Those who don't want to miss out on Election Day can ensure they participate with a few tech tools. New York-based company Mobile Commons has set up a texting service, using data from the Voting Information Project and Google's Polling Place Locator to let those in affected states know where to vote.
New Yorkers can find polling locations one their mobile phones. To get a location sent to a mobile device via text message, text "NYCVOTES" to 877877. After being prompted to send a home address, an updated polling location will be sent to via text message.
To find a location via telephone, call the New York Board of Elections at: 1 (855) NYS-SANDY (1-855-697-7263). More information can also be found at www.vote.nyc.ny.us.
New Jersey residents can now vote by email or fax. The State of New Jersey has qualified residents who have been displaced by Sandy as "overseas voters."
Residents can send in an application to the County Clerk to qualify. Once approved, voters must send in a signed waiver of secrecy with the ballot via email or fax by 8 p.m. on Nov. 6. More information can be found at www.elections.nj.gov, or by calling 1 (877) NJ-VOTER (1-877-658-6837).
New Jersey residents can also get updated polling locations sent to their mobile devices by texting "WHERE" to 877877, or by calling the New Jersey Division of Elections at 1 (609) 292-3760.
Google has a tool to locate polling locations on its Politics & Elections page. Facebook also has a tool via its U.S. Politics page.
If taking the tech route fails, voting the old fashioned way is also an option. New York and New Jersey residents can now cast provisional ballots at any polling place in each respective state.
