By Anoush Bagdoyan, NCJW Senior Manager of Communications

On Sunday, October 28, when I evacuated from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn in preparation for Hurricane Sandy, Election Day was still nine days away. There was some talk of what effect the storm would have on voting, but the possibility of any havoc seemed like a long shot at the time.

Yesterday morning at work, the day before the election, was a different story. We were discussing the final stages of NCJW’s Promote the Vote, Protect the Vote efforts and how we would be engaging the greater NCJW community, including staff, to share their voting experiences. I blurted out, “I don’t think I’m going to be able to vote.”

As of that morning, I was still taking refuge (still without heat or electricity but at least no flooding) with a friend on Long Island. As subway service was still suspended at the time, I was not able to travel back to Sheepshead Bay from NCJW Headquarters’ location in Manhattan’s Morningside Heights. I looked at the reconfigured New York City subway map and considered walking a few miles from the farthest point I could reach in Brooklyn, but I was already fighting a cold and didn’t want to risk getting sicker.

My anxiety level was high. Since becoming a naturalized citizen in 1994, I had not yet missed voting in an election. And in 2012, with so many critical issues at stake, I was determined to make my voice heard.

A colleague came by my office with news of a possibility of an affidavit ballot for those of us displaced by Sandy. I had been reading about the accommodations made for residents of New Jersey, so my hopes were raised. Organizations, including our partner in voter education and protection efforts, The Brennan Center for Justice, were urging Governor Cuomo to sign an affidavit ballot order. As I commuted back to Long Island, I checked my smart phone obsessively for updates. Finally, I saw a posting with the good news that New Yorkers affected by Sandy would be able to vote anywhere in the state!

I checked for a poll site close to the NCJW headquarters office, and found one across the street at Riverside Church. Next, I wasn’t sure if I would have to present any identification under these unusual circumstances. NCJW and coalition partners have been working tirelessly against voter disenfranchisement efforts, such as requiring government-issued IDs to vote. All I knew was that I needed to cast my ballot. I had my voter registration card that proved I was registered in Brooklyn. I also had my weekly Long Island Rail Road pass to prove that I was currently stationed away from home.

When I tried to present my ID to affirm my status, I was told no ID was necessary — music to my voting rights advocate ears! I was asked to take a seat on the side, while regular district voters stood their place in line. I was prepared to wait as long as necessary, but instead a minute later a polling representative ushered me to a voting booth with a paper ballot and pre-printed envelope that would detail my information. I then handed the completed and sealed envelope to the same representative.

“You did it — have a great day!” were her parting words. I left feeling lighter and with a greater sense of relief than I had all week. I was heard.

Share your voting story with NCJW!