Early voting became a thing in New York this year. I voted on Friday, the day after Halloween (so tempted to have gone in costume on Halloween, but alas, no time).

Beacon’s early voting location was in Fishkill at the Town Hall. Getting there was super easy: You just zoom down Rt. 52 - stop into Industrial Arts Brewery on your way down and grab a bite at the Eat Church food truck if it’s on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Voting was even easier. Tablets were on hand to instantly pull up your record. A ballot was printed for you on demand, and you carried it into the voting booth.

According to the people volunteering their time at the polls, the Beacon turnout was strong. “Come on in, we don’t bite!” was the first comment I got after arriving at the location and quietly standing behind a gentleman who was there, apparently done voting but hanging out.

Everyone was super friendly, and anyone who asked how poll workers’ day was going, got this answer: “Ask me at 5 pm!” which is when their day ended. On Tuesday, November 5, however, they have a different answer after a 16-hour day and many more people coming through the door. Early voters at the Fishkill location got different stickers than what is given out with the Tuesday election. These stickers celebrated women winning the right to vote.

By Monday, the early voting was closed so that everyone could prepare for Tuesday. On Tuesday, votes took place at their regular locations. People used to voting on the Tuesday were planning their trips down to the polls. Later, anyone could refresh the voting results on the Dutchess Elections website as the counts rolled in.

As for the results… Oof! There are some close races. It’s a nail-biter. Talk to you tomorrow when the results have posted and we move forward!