On Monday, Jun. 22, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz issued a press release on voting procedures in relation to Tuesday’s primary and special elections further to the receipt of several reports from voters that they had not received their absentee ballots, despite having applied for them weeks ago.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, New York State had temporarily authorized all eligible voters to apply for an absentee ballot for the Jun. 23 primary and special elections based on the “temporary illness” clause outlined in State law, and had instructed Boards of Election to automatically mail an absentee ballot application to all eligible voters across the State.

Dinowitz said there had been numerous reports of voters saying they have not received their absentee ballots in the mail yet, even though they applied weeks ago. Only registered Democrats are eligible to vote in the June 23 primary for the 81^st Assembly District because no other party is holding a primary election within this district.

Democrats are also being asked to choose candidates for President, Presidential Delegate, Congress, and New York State Assembly, as well as elect Male and Female District Leaders, Female State Committee member, and Civil Court Judge.

Some Democrats in the 81^st Assembly District will also be asked to choose candidates for New York State Senate (34^th District only). Ordinarily, there are three ways for registered Democrats to cast their vote in the Jun. 23 primary election:

1. Absentee – Ballots must be postmarked by June 23, 2020 in order to be considered valid. They can also be delivered to the Board of Elections in person. Absentee ballots can still be applied for in person at the Bronx Board of Elections until June 22.
2. Early – In person early voting is available until Sunday, June 21, 2020. Voters are assigned to a specific early voting location based on their Election District, which is most likely different from their traditional local polling site. People should confirm their assigned early voting location before going to vote, which can be done online at nyc.pollsitelocator.com.
3. Voters can cast their ballot in person on June 23 at their local poll site between 6am and 9pm. Some poll sites have changed based on building closures and public health guidance. People should confirm their assigned local voting location before going, which can be done online at nyc.pollsitelocator.com.

Given the circumstances, Dinowitz urged voters to plan accordingly, adding, “There will be time to figure out what went wrong after Tuesday, but the most important thing right now is to make sure eligible voters who wish to cast a ballot have created a specific plan to vote in the June 23 Democratic primary election”.