How are seniors and handicap to vote in the presidential election if it takes 5 to 8 hours in line without any water, not being able to sit?

Joel, you don't say whether or not you actually got to vote in person. I'm a senior too, 70 y.o., but in pretty good shape. I was able to stand in line for approximately 60 or so minutes - yes, much shorter than 5 hrs. (although there were a couple of opportunities to sit- benches along the way). You should have taken advantage of either voting by mail or absentee voting. Many seniors, those with disabilities and many others have done so.

take a beach chair 🪑 along or little bench. Tell poll worker you are disabled. Take water...wear a pad ...
I voted Saturday @ my early voting site...Queens College...brought along a little bench to sit....took 3 hrs
hugs 🤗

California not only has our mailed ballots, but we can track them, learn when they are delivered and learn when they are counted! Amazing, this brave new work. Partner and I? We are all in.

So, DH and I went to early voting today. We were in and out in 10 minutes. Folks over 60 or with disabilities were given priority.

Joel, you should call the BOE; I'm pretty sure these accomodations are available across NYS.

Absentee ballots were always available but you have to call or request them online.

We at home voted by mail today.

My hubs and I voted today at the first day of early voting in Md. We voted at the most rural site in our area, and at 11 am we were in and out in 15 minutes! And there were bathrooms available in the high school we voted at. I do know the busiest place in our area had a 90 minute line, but after the people who lined up at 5 am (WTH) got through it was pretty fast!

In NJ we were automatically sent an absentee ballot. Didn't have to request it.

It is definitely getting harder and harder to procrastinate in today's world.
🧐

Joel, I too am surprised that you didn't request an absentee ballot.    Were you not able to do so, or unfamiliar with how to do it?    I suspect the plans were in place; absentee voting has gotten a lot of attention.    

Perhaps you weren't aware of this, but it's something to consider the next time you vote at the next election.   After the election is over, you might contact your city clerk's office and find out how to sign up so you automatically get absentee ballots from this time forward. 

I give you credit though for tolerating the 5 hours.   I probably would had to sit down on the pavement and just scoot along as the line moved forward.

In the State of NJ we were automatically sent ballots. If we go to the polls it will still be a ballot. No machines being used. We voted from home. If ur disabled, you shouldn't even be out in the crowds.

There is curbside voting. Call ahead, or call the number posted at the polls.

There are going to be volunteers who stand in line for seniors and disabled.
Call ahead. Or go to https://www.thesafapp.com/vote
(vote saF app).

Bring your own water.

Call your political party for a ride, or volunteer help in getting to the polls.

Get in line behind someone like me. You will know me because I will be the one shouting out: "Get this woman a wheelchair!" "Move those chairs so he can get through", or "Here, borrow my umbrella!". "Go to the front of the line!".

joelfmi118, let's not forget we are in the middle of a very serious pandemic. That means a nationwide shortage of polling workers. There is only so much a State can do during this situation.

Like others had mentioned, vote absentee ballot. I did that, and took the ballot to an official drop off which in my area was our regional library.

Usually a senior isn't thinking about water [they bring their own] or sitting [some bring their own lawn chairs]..... the main concern is bathroom facilities.

Accessibility has to do with the polling place, not the line outside or how long it is. If there is designated handicapped parking, that's all that has to be provided -- not a guaranteed vacancy in those spaces.

I'm a poll worker, and we go to great lengths to accommodate disabilities, but we can't do anything to make crowds go away. We even have curbside voting here, and voters can call the Registrar of Voters office, request a ballot to be brought outside, and they can vote from their cars.

If NY mails voter guides to every registered voter, then all the information for accommodating disabilities would be in there. I'm sure NY would be pretty up to standards on those accommodations.

It’s up to you to request an accommodation when you get to the polling place Joel. The elections officials will go above and beyond so that everyone gets to vote. But they Aren’t mind readers. They don’t expect handicap people to stand in line for hours. That’s why you have to request an accommodation, they will find way to accommodate you.

In my state, the actual polling places are run by the county Board of Elections. You can call in advance to make arrangements for a handicap person to vote. Or mail in ballots could be requested. I voted early about a week ago. No line and there was a table where assistance could be arranged for elderly or handicapped persons. Assisted Living can a specific time to bring their vans and small buses.

Where I live you can apply for a postal ballot in advance for for age/disability/absentee reasons.

There are voting booths in most schools, scout halls, city halls. I have 3 within 2km walk of my house. People choose their local booth by reputation on the best cake stall or sausage sizzle - fundraisers for local sports or groups.

I have waited 45m once when I went at peak time, but usually 10mins. Chat to neighbours, vote, buy a cake, leave.

I am simply horrified anyone must wait that long or the location is made so hard.

Did you not request an absentee ballot? That is how folks who are elderly and handicapped generally vote, Joel.

Anyone handicapped or otherwise incapable of in person voting should apply for an absentee ballot in NYS in a variety of ways:

https://www.elections.ny.gov/votingabsentee.html

Sorry you didn't realize that!

Again Joel, we must take responsiblity for our own lives and choices. I registered to vote by mail many years ago. We in California are also lucky to have Gavin Newsom make the choice this year to mail ALL ballots to us. Doesn't mean we cannot wait in line if we wish to, but we don't have to.
We can blame politicians, but to be frank, this liberal here vote thinks that is just "too liberal", even for me, to sit around whining all day. We have to take responsibility.
Now, 9 days before a major election it is a little LATE to have the election come to mind, but I hope you find a way to cast that vote to cancel me out! May the best man win.
It is good to see you out here and active, and I hope that you are doing well, healing, and beginning to feel better.

Were you not given the option to vote with an absentee ballot? I have some physical issues as well and was delighted that I could just mail in my absentee ballot this year. And yes I tracked it and it was received by the Board of Elections.