Attorney General Letitia James has announced the launch of the Election Protection Hotline to assist voters throughout the upcoming general election on November 5, as well as during New York’s early voting period from October 26 to November 3. The hotline will provide support for voters facing issues with absentee ballots, early mail voting, or in-person voting at polling locations.
The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is also offering a guide with frequently asked questions to help voters navigate absentee and mail-in ballots, as well as registration concerns. “Every New Yorker has the right to vote without fear or interference,” James stated. “The Election Protection Hotline ensures every voice is heard, regardless of how or when you vote.”
Hotline availability and voter assistance
The hotline, available at (866) 390-2992, will operate from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM during early voting and from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM on Election Day. It will also be open the day before and after Election Day, with the same hours as during early voting. Voters can also submit complaints online, with all requests handled by OAG attorneys and staff.
Protecting voter rights
The OAG emphasizes that state and federal laws protect voters from intimidation, suppression, and deception. The hotline, which has been active since 2012, has assisted thousands of voters in past elections, collaborating with local election officials to resolve reported issues. The OAG has also taken legal action to prevent voter registration purges and ensure equitable access to early voting.
Attorney General James urges voters to use the hotline for any election-related concerns, emphasizing that polls must remain open from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM on Election Day, and all voters in line before closing will be allowed to vote.
The hotline is managed by the Voting Rights Section, led by Chief Lindsay McKenzie and a team of assistant attorneys general, voting rights analysts, and administrative staff, as part of the Civil Rights Bureau under the Division for Social Justice.
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