Nov. 8 is a very important Election Day.

As vice president of the League of Women Voters of Port Washington-Manhasset, I’d like to reassure voters that New York State elections are secure and reliable.

New York’s election process is administered by a bipartisan team of election workers. Workers representing both major parties oversee ballot counting, a common practice nationwide to provide checks and balances in the election process.

Election administrators, board employees, and poll workers have to be residents of your county. The people who run our elections are not strangers. They are members of our communities – neighbors, friends, and family.

Every step of our election process is monitored and secured from the voter registration process to the post-election audit. The voter registration process in New York State ensures that only those meeting state eligibility requirements are able to vote, and it helps keep track of who has cast a ballot.

Registered voters can vote early in person, on Election Day in person, or by absentee ballot. All ballots must be returned by mail or in person. Ballots are submitted to election machines that have been pre-approved by the New York State Board of Elections.

Each piece of election equipment is tested before being used on election day and all voting machines are barred from connecting to the internet. Finally, all county boards of elections must conduct post-election audits to further verify results.

Whichever way you choose to vote this year, know that by doing so you are making democracy work.

Michele C. Lamberti

Vice President

League of Women Voters Port Washington-Manhasset