October 13, 2009 --

It is possible to cast a write-in vote for candidates in New York City elections - NOTWITHSTANDING comments from others, throwing your vote away, taking up the time of other voters, and wasting your time.

For many years, LPR has heard talk-radio hosts warn that third party choices will insure the election of objectionable candidates. These talk-radio hosts tend to be "conservatives," warning about the election of "liberal" candidates.

It seems to LPR that this election counsel would have prevented Lincoln from running for president in 1860 because formation of the Republican party in the 1850's would have been discouraged.

Do we want to complain about corrupt politics or do we want to restore what Lincoln recognized as government of, by and for the people? ("The people," -- not the insiders.)

Continue the status quo? Vote without enthusiasm (if you vote at all). Jolt the system back onto liberty's track? Vote for YOUR candidate.

Here are instructions (taken from the website of the New York City Board of Elections at www.vote.nyc.ny.us) on how to vote by write-in ballot in the New York City general election, November 3.

PULL THE RED VOTING LEVER all the way over to the extreme right. [Caps added by LPR]

LOCATE THE BUTTON over the column of numbered slots ON THE EXTREME LEFT of the machine. [Caps added by LPR]

DEPRESS THE BUTTON AND, WHILE HOLDING IT IN, OPEN THE SLOT OPPOSITE [THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC ADVOCATE]. [Caps added by LPR]

Write the name of your preferred candidate in the slot. A pencil is provided.

Cast your vote for other offices in the usual manner.

As you pull the red voting lever back to the starting position, the slot will close and the vote is recorded.

* * * *

Write-in votes are counted at the Board of Elections The NYC Board of Elections website indicates that election inspectors, upon request, will cooperate with voters who want to cast write-in ballots.

An inspector from each (major) party may enter the voting booth with the voter to show how to cast the write-in vote -- but the inspectors must leave the voting booth before the vote is cast.