Approximately 400 voters turned out for the June 12-20,2021 NYC Primary Election Early Voting period at the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC)
Sportspark Gymnasium.
Several residents worried and expressed doubt about the future of Roosevelt Island early voting including:
WE HAD SUCH A POOR TURNOUT OF VOTERS, THAT WE DOUBT WE WILL GET EARLY VOTING ON THE ISLAND AGAIN.
Fortunately, Roosevelt Island’s NY State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright announced earlier this week there will be an early voting location at the Sportspark Gymnasium for the November 2, 2021 General
Election.
According to this August 16 press release from Ms Seawright’s office:
Assemblymember Rebecca Seawright reported today that Roosevelt Island’s
Sportspark Gymnasium is an early voting site option for the 2021 general
election. The New York City Board of Elections had recently contacted the
Assemblymember for assistance in securing a site on Roosevelt Island to
enhance voter access.Roosevelt Island Operating Corp President Shelton J. Haynes responded to
Assemblymember Seawright’s immediate appeal and agreed to make Sportspark
available. The recreation center served as an early voting site for the June
primary election but was not scheduled for service in the upcoming general
election due to ongoing renovations until Seawright intervened and stressed
it’s vital importance to the Roosevelt Island community.“This is a great day for the disabled, senior citizens and all Roosevelt
Island voters who traveled off island in 2020, only to suffer long lines and
wait times to vote,” said Seawright, who thanked President Haynes for
responding to her request.Seawright had previously secured an additional early voting site for the
general election last October at Marymount Manhattan College in order to help
relieve the persistently long lines at Robert F. Wagner Middle School on the
Upper East Side of Manhattan. Seawright additionally secured the Metropolitan
Museum of Art as well as Marymount Manhattan College during the 2021
primary.“We must fulfill the intent of early voting opportunities, including
convenient voting times such as early morning, late evening, and weekend
hours,” said Seawright. “We are proud to support the establishment of
additional sites to eliminate long lines and wait times that deter voters from
the exercise of their fundamental rights.”
I asked RIOC yesterday:
Assembly Member Seawright announced yesterday early voting location
site for the November General Election will be located at Sportspark
Gym.Will the Sportspark gym renovations be completed by then and open for early voting?
No response yet – will update when answer received.