Early voting is underway across the city,and News 12 spoke exclusively with the executive director of the New York City Board of Elections to find out what you need to know before you head to the polls.

The BOE says over 55,000 voters have already voted early across the city, ahead of the Nov. 2 general election.
Michael Ryan, the executive director for the city BOE, says the Sunday before Election Day--the final day of early voting--is typically the busiest so he advises preparing accordingly.

There are also specially designed voting machines for the accessibility community at the polls sites. While vaccine status won't be checked, masks are encouraged at the polls.

"When you only had Election Day on Tuesday, it was an all-or-nothing event, if you got there you got there. If you didn't, you didn't.With early voting, it provides nine additional days plus Election Day, so people have more control over their lives and their schedule," said Ryan.

Early voting ends on Sunday ahead of Tuesday's Election Day.