Polls Open For 2nd Day Of Early, In-Person Voting In New York
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Long lines continued on Day 2 of early voting in New York with many people waiting hours to cast their ballot.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office says it's taking a while at some polling sites because of social distancing measures.
Nearly 100,000 voters turned out on the first day of early voting in New York City on Saturday, CBS2's Christina Fan reported, and thousands more came out Sunday.
It took Toni Taylor and her mom, Hopal, of Valley Stream, Long Island, two and a half hours to vote Sunday.
"A long line, definitely worth it," Toni Taylor said.
"I just wanted to make sure that my vote is counted," Hopal Taylor said.
MORE: Tri-State Area Voter Guide
"I definitely wanted to come out and do my civic duty. I brought my coat because it's cold out and my chair," Valley Stream resident Laura Gruer said.
A Yorkie brought by Roxanne Law won over just about everyone in line at the public library in Elmont, Nassau County.
"What's his name?" CBS2's Dave Carlin said.
"King Law," Law said. "Everyone is complimenting me on how cute he is, so that's a little distraction."
Watch Christina Fan's report --
Some voters in line the longest got the start time wrong.
In Parkchester, the Bronx, resident Nellie Waterman arrived at 7 a.m., not realizing it opened at 10 a.m.
"A good Samaritan brought the chair for me, so I'm very thankful for it," she said.
MORE: Early Voting Begins In New York; Election Officials Prepared For Massive Operation
"There was a tremendous number of people for early voting, which is very exciting," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.
The governor and his team were aware of three to five hour wait times confirming that became the weekend's biggest complaint, but his staff explained locations were limited by design over fears of spreading COVID.
Keeping it low density inside meant big crowds outside.
Feeling adequately protected was Westchester resident Marilyn Hartl, who voted at a library in Yonkers.
"We waited two hours and 15 minutes from the point I got on the line. Everything was perfectly safe, and they sanitize the pens," she said.
Early voting is open from Saturday, Oct. 24, through Sunday, Nov. 1.
Voters have an assigned early voting location, and start times fluctuate depending on the day and location. Locations will also be different on Election Day.
Voters can request absentee ballots until Tuesday, Oct. 27.
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