Early voting for Roosevelt Island is now ongoing at Sportspark, right around the corner from the Tram and an easy Red Bus stop. State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright pushed for approval, RIOC president/CEO Shelton Haynes provided the site, and the Board of Elections said, “Yes.”

With handicapped access in place and the usual team of volunteers rounded up by Judith Berdy, it couldn’t be easier.

And, honestly, having voted today, I found ranked choice fun, especially with so many solid candidates and certain change as new people take office. I got to add my 10 cents.

So, look, avoid the lines and the wait and get your vote in. The poll volunteers are ready to help, and you can appreciate the privilege of Roosevelt Island having a place of its own.

Click here for voting hours and other details.

There are only three more in the entire Upper East Side.

More from the Roosevelt Island Daily

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  Queens Subway and Far Rockaway Stabbings Spur Police Investigations
  Queens subway and Far Rockaway stabbings on September 30 prompted separate police investigations and community response after two fatal incidents disrupted daily routines.
• 
  Fatal Stabbing on J Train at Woodhaven Boulevard Spurs Subway Safety Concerns in Queens
  A fatal stabbing on J train at Woodhaven Boulevard raises fresh subway safety concerns in Queens, as NYPD investigates and riders reflect on recent incidents.
• 
  J and M Train Weekend Service Changes: What Riders Need to Know
  J and M train weekend service changes will impact riders for five weekends as crews replace elevated track switches. Here’s what to expect and how to prepare for modified schedules across Brooklyn and Queens.
• 
  Coastal Flooding Disrupts Southeast Queens Streets and Transit
  Coastal flooding disrupted streets and transit across Southeast Queens as a fall nor’easter brought heavy rain and renewed calls for resilience and improved drainage.
• 
  Nor’easter Brings Slow Streets and Transit Delays Across Queens and NYC
  After the nor’easter, slow streets and transit delays across Queens and NYC greeted commuters. Utility crews continued repairs as normal routines resumed Monday.

The Budget Knew Before the “Emergency”

RIOC anticipated a $7 million Steam Plant demolition for 2015. Nine years later, New York City used emergency authority to carry it out.

Theo Gobblevelt Sep 25, 2026

The demolition began on paper long before the City invoked emergency authority to carry it out. In RIOC’s fiscal 2013-14 budget, the Corporation set aside $7 million for fiscal 2015 for the complete demolition and cleanup of the Roosevelt Island Steam Plant. RIOC called that figure its worst-case scenario, meaning the State corporation might be left responsible for the entire cost.

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