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Dear New Yorkers,

Today is the day: the last chance for everyone to vote in the 2024 elections.

More than 1 million New Yorkers voted early this year — about 20% of the city’s registered voters. But that means four in five voters here can still turn out today.

Polls open today at 6 a.m. and close at 9 p.m. You can find your polling location, which may differ from your early voting site, here. The Board of Elections is predicting a busy day with some lines, and has a wait-time map to help with planning.

At the top of the ballot is the presidential race. In recent days, THE CITY has reported on how Puerto Ricans in The Bronx responded to an insult at former President Donald Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally, what migrants living in the city’s shelters think about a potential Trump presidency, and how supporters of Vice President Kamala Harris sent so many notes to swing states that they bought out postcard stamps across the city.

Further down the ballot, there are races to watch across the five boroughs, with several state-level contests in more purple parts of the city. But raising awareness about those races has been tough. Even in a tight legislative race in Howard Beach where the Democratic incumbent won by just 15 votes last time around, voters have hardly registered the contest.

There are also a number of judicial races, including a handful of competitive contests that will affect how thousands of cases are adjudicated in the years to come.

On the other side of the first page of their ballots, New Yorkers will find six ballot questions: one to change the state constitution, and the rest to change the City Charter. The first is an amendment to strengthen anti-discrimination rights and enshrine the right to an abortion in the state. The others came from a hastily convened charter reform commission — which critics say the mayor assembled to keep other proposals off of the ballot, but City Hall says reflect the desires of New Yorkers.

Read more here about Election Day in New York City.

Weather 🌤

A gorgeous day to go vote! Morning clouds give way to afternoon sun. Highs in the low 70s.

MTA 🚇

No overnight A service between West 4th Street-Washington Square to 145th Street this week, and much more. Find all the MTA’s planned changes and the latest delays here.

Alternate side parking 🚙

It’s suspended today, Nov. 5, for Election Day. You know what to do with that extra time.

Our Other Top Stories

Here’s some good economic news: the restaurant industry is nearly back to its pre-pandemic employment level, averaging about 323,000 jobs in recent months. And while that positive trend continues in the boroughs and in residential neighborhoods, which were the first to rebound, the most notable activity lately has been in the city’s business districts. Over the weekend, the mayor declared a drought watch for the city. Rain in October and November usually helps refill the upstate reservoirs that provide the city’s drinking water, but the reservoirs are currently at about 65.9% capacity compared to a typical 76.6% capacity. “Nobody needs to panic, but we really want New Yorkers to start being much more conscientious,” said a city official. Adams asked New Yorkers to step up and save water during this historically dry autumn — though those measures, such as taking shorter showers, are voluntary. On the latest episode of FAQ NYC — recorded in the calm just before the Election Day storm — the hosts discuss the shouting match between the police commissioner and his newly appointed chief of staff over a New York City Marathon photo op, subway surfing, and much more. Listen here.

Things To Do

Here’s what’s going on around the city this week.

Tuesday, Nov. 5: Did we mention it’s Election Day, and polls are open between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.? Find your poll site here. Wednesday, Nov. 6: Get back to nature by helping out with gardening at the City Nursery. No experience necessary (ages 13 and up). Registration required. Free from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Arthur Ross Nursery Parking Lot in The Bronx. Thursday, Nov. 7: Go dancing at a salsa party hosted by Balmir Dance Society. The evening kicks off with a salsa class, followed by social dancing and performances. Free with registration from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Brooklyn Museum.

THE KICKER: Can’t think about it anymore? New York Magazine is running a liveblog of random things that have nothing to do with the election.

Thanks, as always, for reading. Make it a great Tuesday.

Love,

THE CITY

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