The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) will begin offering its Election Protection Hotline on November 2, 2024, for the general election scheduled for November 5, 2024, as well as during New York’s early voting period, which is scheduled from Saturday, October 26 to Sunday, November 3. This announcement was made by New York Attorney General Leticia James.
According to James, the hotline will be readily accessible to troubleshoot and resolve various issues that voters may encounter, such as problems with voting in person at their polling station, by absentee ballot, or by early mail ballot. Additionally, a frequently asked questions guide is available to help voters with issues related to voter registration and the absentee and early mail ballot process.
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Attorney General James remarked, “All New Yorkers have the right to feel safe when casting their votes.” She added, “Our Election Protection Hotline will help ensure that every voice is heard – whether you’re voting by mail, early, or in-person on Election Day.”
Attorney General James noted her office’s dedication towards voters’ confidentiality and safety through upholding the integrity of this year’s election, “My office is committed to protecting free and fair elections and we will continue to do everything in our power to ensure a safe, smooth voting process for all.”
She continued, “I urge every New Yorker to contact our hotline to resolve election-related questions or concerns.”
State and federal laws, according to James, protect New Yorkers against voting intimidation, deceit, suppression, and obstruction.
If voters are having trouble casting their ballots, she advised them to contact the OAG hotline at (866) 390-2992 or file a complaint online.
The phone hotline will be available from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. during early voting, which runs from Saturday, Oct. 26 through Sunday, Nov. 3.
Additionally, from 9 a.m. to 6 a.m. on Monday, November 4, and Wednesday, November 6, the hotline will be open the day before and following Election Day.
According to James, the online complaint form may be used at any moment to send textual requests for assistance. OAG lawyers and staff answer hotline calls and handle written requests for help.
According to James, the OAG has been running its Election Protection Hotline since November 2012. According to her, OAG handled hundreds, sometimes thousands, of complaints from voters around the state during past elections and collaborated with local election authorities and other stakeholders to resolve problems.
In addition, OAG has filed lawsuits to prevent purges of voter registration and to guarantee that voters have fair and sufficient access to early voting as mandated by law.
All eligible voters are entitled to free and fair elections, according to James. On election day, polling places must be open from 6 to 9 a.m., and voters must be permitted to cast ballots if they are in line before closure.
She said that everyone who is registered to vote has the right to do so without being forced or intimidated to do so by election authorities or anybody else.
Election complaints pertaining to any of the laws the OAG enforces, such as the New York Voting Rights Act, will be received by the OAG and addressed, according to James.
Voters who are having trouble can contact (866) 390-2992, get help online, or go to the Frequently Asked Questions.
