Early in-person voting for New York's primary elections kicked off Saturday, June 13, and runs through Sunday, June 21, ahead of Primary Day on Tuesday, June 23. On Long Island, Suffolk County voters are getting a fresh twist on the usual ballot routine as the county swaps out its familiar paper ovals for new touchscreen ballot-marking machines.
According to the Suffolk County Board of Elections, the county is rolling out ExpressVote XL ballot-marking devices and has been staging public demonstrations so voters and poll workers can get comfortable with the new setup. Voters who tried the machines during those demos said the process felt quicker. Arlene Bernhard of Lindenhurst told News 12 that "it's definitely quicker" than filling in paper ovals. County officials say extra poll-worker training and the gradual rollout are meant to keep confusion at the polls to a minimum.
How the new machines work
The ExpressVote XL is a touchscreen ballot-marking device. Voters make their selections on the screen, then the machine prints a summary card that gets scanned for tabulation instead of a hand-marked paper ballot. County demonstrations have highlighted accessibility features such as adjustable text size, language options and assistive peripherals that officials say are intended to better serve voters with disabilities. Residents were able to walk through mock ballots at these demos, which were covered locally by Huntington Now.
Security concerns and a pending legal challenge
Not everyone is sold on the touchscreen approach. Good-government advocates argue that the ExpressVote XL's barcode-based summary cards make it harder for voters to independently verify their choices. Common Cause New York and The Black Institute have filed a lawsuit that challenges the state board's certification of the machines. The larger fight over transparency, auditing and voter confidence has followed these devices around the state as counties consider buying them, and it has drawn both editorial criticism and legal scrutiny.
What voters should know before they go
During the early-voting window, Suffolk residents can use any early-voting center in the county, although they should double-check times and locations before heading out. The New York State Board of Elections lists the statewide early-voting period and has a voter-lookup tool. The Suffolk County Board of Elections also offers a printable flyer with this year’s 28 early-voting sites and hours.
There is one new rule to keep in mind. Voters who have already requested an absentee or early-mail ballot are not allowed to cast a regular in-person ballot on a machine. Instead, they must vote by affidavit ballot if they show up at a polling place.
Several contested local races are on the June ballot, including both the Democratic and Republican primaries in New York's 3rd Congressional District, as reported by News 12. County officials are asking voters for a bit of patience while poll workers get used to the new equipment. Checking sample ballots and county election pages before you head out can help you know exactly what you will see on the screen when it is your turn.
