Section: Road to November 2024

As we head into the fall of this year’s general election, The Spectator is continuing our election literacy project: Road to November 2024, started in Volume 114. We recognize that in the midst of college applications and the hectic life of a Stuyvesant student, it can be difficult to keep up with the tumultuous American political landscape. So as this historic election unfolds, the Opinions Department is dedicated to educating the Stuyvesant community on what’s new and what’s at stake ahead of November 5th. 

Why Vote?

Voting is a core tenant of a healthy democracy. No matter what you believe in, everyone deserves chances to make their voice heard and participate in government. Not only is voting a way to honor and uphold our rights, it is also impactful. Though national elections can often seem out of our hands, they, and also local elections, are not! This general election, we implore you to take voting seriously either by voting, yourself, or telling your friends and families to vote. In this column, we’ve provided some basic logistics and relevant information about voting for you to read and share with others. 

Voter Registration & Pre-Registration

If you will be 18 by November 5, make sure to register to vote! For this general election, in-person, mail, and virtual registration are due on October 26, 2024. For those of us who aren’t old enough, there’s also the option to pre-register if you are older than 16! This is a great way to get involved and save your future self some time. Through this link, you can find easily understandable instructions for how to register and pre-register: teen.vote/stuyvesant. This link was provided to The Spectator by senior Adeline Sauberli, who is working on registering and pre-registering Stuyvesant students through the youth-run nonpartisan organization, New Voters.

Making a Voting Plan

We encourage all eligible voters to make a voting plan this election season. Making a voting plan boosts voter turnout because it ensures voters prepare when, where, and how they will vote before heading to the polls. Once you are eligible and registered to vote, you may vote in multiple ways: 

1. ABSENTEE: If you are out of state during the voting period, you must also apply for an absentee ballot by October 26, 2024, which needs to be received through the mail by Election Day. 
2. EARLY: Early voting provides busy individuals a place to make their votes heard. Registering, either online or in-person, for an early ballot is possible until October 26, 2024. In New York City, the early voting period is from October 26, 2024 to November 3, 2024, and you can submit your ballot in person or by mail. Early voting sites are open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For some Stuy students, voting early will be the best option to accommodate our busy schedules.
3. E-DAY: On Election Day, November 5, 2024, many New Yorkers will head to the polls from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. All New York City public school students do not attend school on Election Day. 

If you plan to vote in person, either early or on Election Day, it is imperative to know your poll site. Once registered, you can find your early and Election Day poll site online at vote.nyc/page/find-your-poll-site. We highly recommend that you plan out exactly when and how you will get to your poll site, budgeting for travel time. 

Your Ballot

In November, New Yorkers will be voting in presidential, US congress, US senate, state senate, and state assembly elections. Ballots will vary by district. They may also contain questions regarding party affiliation and instructions on how to fill out a ballot. To find out who will be on the ballot, voters can check their local election office website or search for one of many voter information guides online such as Vote 411 and NYC Votes. These sites allow voters to add their address and provide information on the candidates. 

Beyond candidates, ballots contain ballot proposals. In the process of enacting new laws, policies, or amendments, all states allow citizens to approve or reject some actions through ballot propositions. This election, New Yorkers will get to vote on Prop 1, The Amendment to Protect Against Unequal Treatment, which includes enshrining abortion rights into New York’s Constitution. You might see something similar to this on Election Day:

This proposal would protect against unequal treatment based on ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, and sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity and pregnancy. It also protects against unequal treatment based on reproductive healthcare and autonomy.

1. “YES” vote puts these protections in the New York State Constitution.
2. “NO” vote leaves these protections out of the State Constitution.

When it comes time to vote, do your research! Determine whether you support Prop 1 and check out a variety of sources to decide who you want to vote into office. Make sure you are familiar with your candidates and rank them in order of preference on your ballot. After filling out and reviewing the ballot, submit it by placing it into a secure ballot box, mailing it, or electronically sending it. Then, pat yourself on the back!