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Read the press release here.

What to Expect at the Polls on Election Day

By Colby Hamilton | November 5, 2013 6:27am
 New York voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 5 and will find a different voting system than what they used during the primary election.
New York voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 5 and will find a different voting system than what they used during the primary election.
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DNAinfo/Julie Shapiro

CIVIC CENTER — With every election comes some concerns about voting. During the primary election in September, voters struggled to find polling locations that had been changed, had to convince poll site workers they should be allowed to vote and found themselves trying to use antiquated machines.

What should voters expect heading into Election Day on Tuesday? Here are some quick and easy answers to some of the most common voting questions.

How do I find my polling location?

The city’s Board of Elections website has been updated and improved, and includes an easy-to-use polling place locator. Just enter your address and a map will appearing showing where to vote. It also includes a sample ballot with the candidates and ballot propositions.

The polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

What if workers can’t find my name?

Before you head to your polling site, you can double check your voter registration status to make sure the city has you at the right location. In the event your name can’t be found, call 1-866-NYC-VOTE to get further details on your voter status.

In the event you arrive at the polling site and they say you’re not in their books, if you’ve verified and are indeed registered to vote, you should be eligible for an affidavit ballot.

Additionally, the good government groups the New York Public Interest Research Group and Common Cause have set up a hotline for voters having issues at their polling sites. The NYPIRG/Common Cause help line number is (212) 822-0282.

What can I expect when I head into the booth?

If you voted in the primary, you’ll notice two very big differences.

First, the city is back to using the electronic scanning machines, so that means paper ballots will be used. You’ll be filling in ovals and running your ballot through a machine to have it counted. Voters in the 2012 elections complained of long lines because of poll workers' inexperience with the new system.

Second, expect a ballot with small type. And remember: the ballot is two-sided, so be sure to flip it over, as the ballot initiative questions are located on the back.

Once you have your ballot scanned, you’re done! Get an “I Voted” sticker and look for election returns on DNAinfo New York after the polls close.