57°
WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. – Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino said widespread power outages and lingering damage from Hurricane Sandy will not force the cancellation of elections in Westchester next week.
"This country's been through a civil war, world wars, natural disasters, and never in the history of this country has Election Day been postponed," Astorino said. "And I don't think it'll be postponed next Tuesday either.
Most of the polling sites will have electricity, and for those sites that don't, there might be some consolidation of polling places – but everyone will have an opportunity to vote, whether it be by paper ballot or emergency ballot, he said.
The Board of Elections was canvassing all polling sites to ensure they'll be ready for the public to cast their ballots on Tuesday, he said.
Astorino said he's confident that Con Edison and NYSEG will restore power not only to most customers by early next week, but to schools throughout the county, many of which serve as polling places.
The county executive said a decision on the polling places will probably be made on Friday.
Comments (2)
We had an election in 1864 when we were fighting a Civil War, literally within blocks of the White House. I think we can have an election under the circumstances here.