Because we’ve never had early voting for President before on Roosevelt Island, fair comparisons aren’t possible. But 1,300 walking into the RIVAA Gallery location in the first five days reveals something about local commitment.
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
Although the community has around 12,000 residents, no more than 9,000 are adults old enough to vote. Among those, many are foreign nationals working for the United Nations and multi-national companies or students. None of those can vote. That makes the 1,300 very early votes even more startling.
At that, at least 50 of those coming into RIVAA exercising their right have been first timers.
We can’t show you the voting site inside because of policies protecting the private right to vote. Other years, with support from Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright, early voting in non-presidential elections happened at RIVAA as well as Sportspark.
Turnout was much lighter, and you never saw lines waiting to get in. Most Roosevelt Islanders voters snaked into PS/IS 217, which will again be open for voting this year. In the mornings, you could find voters trailing down along the West Promenade.
Early voting sight organizer Judith Berdy has always kept things safe and moving along smoothly. The process takes just minutes. This year is no exception.
Three days remain for early voting. You can walk into RIVAA today until 8:00 p.m., an easy stop on the way home from work. Or make a quick trip on Saturday or Sunday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Can’t make it? Take advantage on the traditional election day, November 5th, at PS/IS 217.
Still Searching: Transparency Delayed at RIOC
New York’s Freedom of Information Law rests on a basic principle: government records belong to the public unless an agency can identify a lawful reason to withhold them. For Roosevelt Island residents, that right matters because RIOC controls public land, infrastructure, transportation, contracts and development without functioning as a locally elected government.
