How to Vote on a Lever Machine

How to Vote on a Lever Machine
Detail of the ballot inside a mechanical lever-style voting machine at a warehouse in Brooklyn, New York City, Oct. 30, 2008. Lever machines will be used in the upcoming New York City primary election as well as any runoff should no candidate win a clear majority. (Seth Wenig/AP Photo)
Kristen Meriwether
9/8/2013
Updated:
7/18/2015

NEW YORK—When voters head to the polls on Tuesday, Sept. 10, they will be using lever voting machines to cast their ballots, not the electronic machines used in the 2012 presidential election.

The old machines were brought back with approval from Gov. Cuomo in July after the New York City Board of Elections argued it could not tally the primary votes before a runoff on the state-of-the-art optical scan machines.

Residents who have lived in New York City for years have long-used the antiquated machines, but those new to the city who are used to voting on the digital scan machines may have questions.

The Campaign Finance Board has provided a step-by-step instruction guide below. Poll workers will also be on hand at polling locations to assist voters.