New voting machines were introduced on Tuesday as well, part of a roll out of federally mandated upgrades stemming from the infamous 2000 presidential election voting machine woes.
When interviewed at a midtown polling station on East 28th Street, some voters found the new scanning machines problematic, though others found the new machines easier to operate.
Some polling stations experienced problems in the voting process and Mayor Michael Bloomberg addressed the issue Tuesday afternoon.
“Voting is a civic obligation and it is one of the freedoms so many men and women have died protecting,” said Bloomberg. “But it is also an obligation for the government ensuring that every voter has access to the ballot. No exception. No excuses.”
“We were told of some polling sites that opened two or three hours late. That is a royal screw up and is unacceptable,” the mayor added.
“It means some voters waited for hours and others may not have the chance to cast their votes. We have also got reports on broken or missing scanners, emergency ballots, and poor customer service.”
Dianne, a middle-aged voter, said she found the new voting process more time consuming than the previous one, which she said was better and quicker. She also commented that people with poor eyesight may have trouble reading the small text on the ballots.
Voter Henry Schonfield said he does not trust the new machines and is suspicious of them. ”I do not know if the people I vote for are really tallied.” Schonfield also stated that he knows how easy it is to manipulate computer software. When asked why he continues to vote if he mistrusts the process, he replied that he still feels it is his civic obligation.
Some others, like Peter Atoria and Jaime Mercado, felt that the new system is easier to use. “The machines are actually easier than the previous system,” he said. “You just write what you want.”
All of the voters expressed their sense of obligation to vote and also a great honor and privilege.”I was born in this country and I feel my vote is important,” said Atoria.
“It's our privilege!” said Dianne. “if we don't vote, how can we demand freedom.”
Several contests grabbed attention, including the five Democratic nominees for state attorney general: Eric Dinallo, Eric Schneiderman, Kathleen Rice, Richard Brodsky, and Sean Coffey, Republican gubernatorial nominees Carl Paladino and Rick Lazio, and several congressional seats, most notably the grab for Harlem Rep. Charles Rangle's seat by several contenders including the congressman's predecessor's son, Adam Clayton Powell IV.
Also vying for Rangel's 15th District seat are former Rangel aide Vincent Scott Morgan, Joyce Johnson; a business executive and labor activist Jonathan Tasini. Rangel, though well funded for the race, has been hindered an ethics charges involving real estate abuse and tax evasion.
Additional reporting by Ben Kaminsky
