22 THE QUEENS COURIER • AUGUST 4, 2016 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com CAMPAIGN 2016 A ballot line to ‘Fix Washington’ BY CANDACE HIGGINS editorial@qns.com/@QNS One Congressional candidate hopes to rally voters of all backgrounds to “Fix Washington.” On Aug. 3, former Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, the Democratic nominee to replace Steve Israel in Congress, submitted thousands of signatures across Queens and Long Island to create an independent “Fix Washington” ballot line. The campaign collected signatures throughout the district from voters who want their politicians to focus on their needs rather than party politics. Suozzi said that voters from across the political spectrum are sending a resounding message that something is seriously wrong in our nation’s capital. “People have had enough of the fi nger-pointing, the name-calling and the attacks that candidates lodge at their opponents just to win a campaigns,” Suozzi said. “It has left our government ineffective and unresponsive. The people are crying out for candidates who will discuss the serious issues we face and get things done.” Suozzi is working to fi x the Suozzi has served as mayor of his hometown, Glen Cove, NY, and as Nassau County Executive. problems facing middle-class families, seniors and veterans. In New York State, a candidate can create their own line on the ballot if they gather 3,500 valid signatures of a registered voter of any political party who has not already signed a petition during the 2016 election cycle in Courtesy of Thomas Suozzi’s website the 3rd Congressional District, and submits them to the NYS Board of Elections. The 3rd Congressional District covers northern portions of northeast Queens as well as Nassau and Suffolk counties. The election is on Tuesday, Nov. 8. NY PLAYS PROMINENT ROLE IN NATIONAL POLITICAL CONVENTIONS New York has never played such a prominent role at both the Democratic and Republican Party’s national conventions, and defi nitely never in the same year. In fact, one would have to go back to the time of both Roosevelts for the last time either state party had so much sway in their respective conventions. The New York Republican delegation enjoyed a rare taste of power and pampering when they briefl y occupied the “Rock ‘n’ Roll city.” They stayed in Cleveland’s premier hotel and enjoyed front stage center seating to the speakers. The Republican delegation also famously led the chorus of jeers and shouts when it became clear that Senator Ted Cruz wasn’t going to endorse Donald Trump. That action was led by Queens Politics & More BY MIKE FRICCHIONE New York Trump Surrogate and Republican Vice Chair John Lavalle, who went on MSNBC the next day to declare that moment as “Cruz’s last Alamo” in the Republican Party. Days later, many familiar faces from Queens poured into Philadelphia to support Hillary Clinton. The Democratic delegation was comprised of some well-known names, such as Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley, Assemblyman David Weprin, Congressman Joe Crowley and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney. Queens made their mark on the City of Brotherly Love on the second day, Tuesday, when Congresswoman Maloney hosted a New York Cheesecake vs. Philadelphia Cheesesteak challenge between the New York and Pennsylvania delegations. Needless to say, the cheesecake, imported straight from Junior’s, won out over Philadelphia’s champion cheesesteak. Hours later, Congressman Crowley delivered a passionate prime-time speech in front of the convention that briefl y struck a powerful chord with the country. Crowley spoke passionately about how he and his family were personally affected by events of September 11, and all the sacrifi ce and tears that it took to come back. Both campaigns now kick into high gear for the fi nal 100 days. And, depending on your personal feelings toward the candidates and politics in general, New York is either way guaranteed to win, or destined to lose, regardless of the fi nal vote count. Everything you need to know about voting registration BY NICOLE KULIYEV editorial@qns.com/@QNS The Republican and Democratic conventions have come to end, which means that it is time to register to vote. You can register online, by mail or in person. Register by Oct. 19 to be able to vote in the general election (Nov. 8, 2016). To vote in state and local primaries for individual political parties, make sure to register by Aug. 24 (the state and local primaries will be held on Sept. 13). To be eligible to register, you must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old on Election Day (Nov. 8), live in a New York address by Oct. 9, not be in jail/prison or on parole, not be declared mentally incompetent by a court, and not claim the right to vote in another state. To register online, you must create an account at dmv.ny.gov using either your New York driver’s license, permit or a non-driver ID. When you sign in, select ”Register to Vote” and fi ll out the form that comes along with it. After your form is fi lled out, the DMV will send it to the county board of elections for approval and processing. To check if you are approved, you must visit the website voterlookup.elections.state. ny.us. The deadline online is Oct. 14. To register by mail, you must download and print the New York state voter registration form or call 800-FOR-VOTE (8683) to have the form mailed to you. After you fi ll out the form, you must mail it in by Oct. 14 to your county board of elections. To register in person, you must pick up the registration form at your county board of elections. Once you fi ll out the form, it needs to be returned in person by Oct. 14 to your county board of elections. Donald Trump is the Republican presidential nominee and Hilary Clinton is the Democratic presidential nominee. Polls will open Nov. 8, so make sure you are registered to vote!
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