The New York Credit Union Association is encouraging all credit union advocates to participate in today’s primary election. The elections for Democratic presidential candidate and candidates for congress and other offices come amid the pandemic where candidates largely campaigned online and New Yorkers have requested absentee ballots in record numbers.
More than 1 million absentee ballots were requested by New Yorkers for today’s primary, as compared to 157,885 for the 2016 presidential primary, according to the Board of Elections. The deadline to postmark an absentee ballot is today, and ballots must be received by June 30, 2020.
Races at the federal and state levels could have a significant impact on legislative issues affecting credit unions, with 21 of New York’s 27 districts facing at least one major-party contest today, and all of New York’s 27 congressional seats on the ballot in November. All 213 seats in the state Senate and Assembly are on the November ballot.
Today’s primary race also includes a special election in New York’s 27th Congressional District. The seat was vacated when Republican Chris Collins pleaded guilty to insider trading. The winner of the special election will serve the remainder of Collins’ term and will be up for election again in November. The November elections will be for a full, two-year term in the House. Candidates include:
- Republican Chris Jacobs;
- Democrat Nate McMurray;
- Green Party candidate Michael Gammariello; and
- Libertarian Duane Whitmer.
Polling spots across the state opened at 6 a.m. and close at 9 p.m. To find a polling location or for general voting information, visit the Board of Elections website.