Sep 2, 2020
New York State launched an online portal where all registered voters can request an absentee ballot if you are worried about in-person voting due to COVID. There's no need to wait — you can request an absentee ballot for the November 3rd election today. (Please note that you must already be registered to vote at your current address. If you aren't registered to vote, or need to change your voter registration address, visit elections.ny.gov for more info.)
New Yorkers have options in the way to cast a vote this elections: In addition to voting by absentee ballot, you can vote early in-person at your Early Voting polling place from October 24 to November 1 (there are nine days of Early Voting). And of course, you can still vote in-person on Election Day, November 3rd. Whatever option feels safest is up to you — just make sure your voice is heard.
Here's what else you need to know tonight:
1. New York is extending our partnership with HelloFresh to help combat food insecurity amid the pandemic. The New York State Division of Veterans' Services and HelloFresh started working together in June to provide meals to families, and this expansion will provide over 200,000 fresh meals to veterans, military families and other residents in New York City who are experiencing food insecurity — one of a host of initiatives the State has taken to help ensure that no family goes hungry. I thank HelloFresh for their help.
2. The total number of hospitalizations remains low. Yesterday, there were 445 total hospitalizations. Of the 88,447 tests reported yesterday, 708, or 0.80 percent, were positive. Sadly, we lost 5 New Yorkers to the virus.
3. The Whitney Museum of American Art reopens its doors to the public tomorrow. The Whitney joins other cultural institutions that have begun reopening with reduced capacity and timed entry. Read more about New York City's cultural institution reopenings.
4. There's still time to respond to the Census. As of now, approximately 80 percent of New Yorkers have completed the Census — but we need everyone to respond. You can respond by mail, by phone at 844-330-2020 or online at https://my2020census.gov. Spread the word and let's Get Counted, NY.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": New York City artist Devon Rodriguez would often use his subway rides as inspiration for his art, sketching New Yorkers he'd see in hyper-realistic detail. But amid the pandemic he found a new approach to his style. On his subway rides, he started sketching New Yorkers wearing masks. He began using his art to not only to help himself cope with the stress of the COVID pandemic, but also to capture the challenging moment we find ourselves in.
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