This week, we asked readers their thoughts on early voting and the 2020 presidential election.

 

“I think that the process was very effective, I’m hoping. I watched the press conference of Governor [Andrew] Cuomo, that he’s going forward with this in the future, so I think this was a very effective and efficient way of having this opportunity of early voting. The line was about sixty feet, and I was able to get in and out in twenty minutes. It only took me ten minutes to vote. I think the most critical issue is bringing people together. The divisiveness we’re dealing with now is certainly at the forefront, and I think we need leadership that can work at bringing people together.”

Kenneth Hall

Parkchester

 

“This location was very different from what I saw on the news; it was very smooth. I’m surprised it was such an easy process here. I’ve never voted early before, so this was my first experience with early voting. There was no line at all. Yes, I would do this, every four years or every election, if possible. The local campaigns were a little too aggressive for me and we’d rather hear more on the issues, not just for New York, but the country as well. Homelessness is one issue. The pandemic, of course; this could be handled in a much more efficient way, and we need to work on the racism in this country, because I feel until that issue is really reigned in and handled, we can’t accomplish things as Americans.”

Bedford Cintron

Allerton

 

“It was perfect! It’s convenient. They should do this all the time. There was no line. We walked right in. Women’s rights are an important issue to a lot of women, and I want to live a better life for my daughter.”

Jannette Valdez

Morris Park

 

“It was good; they’re well organized. They know where everybody is supposed to go. The line goes very fast. It was simple, no problem at all. They should keep it the way it is now. I don’t really like the way things are going right now with the current president that we have. I think he’s causing more problems for this country rather than resolving anything. I don’t really think he handled the COVID-19 pandemic very well. The most important issue for me is for them to come up with a resolution for COVID-19. It’s affecting a lot of businesses and a lot of people are leaving New York. In Manhattan right now, there are supposedly thousands of empty apartments.”

Edward Rivera

Burnside

 

“Early voting is necessary right now, for this time, but it went well, very smoothly; no wait, no hassle. Everybody was respectful. I normally would have to wait. Definitely, it was kind of annoying after work, and a lot of people would come in and the long lines.. Sometimes, I would wait without voting. That happened to me a couple of times. There were no lines and the process was great. To me, family values and religion are important, and I would like to keep my Social Security, and help for the working man, and our vets.”

José Dominguez

Fordham Manor