As New Yorkers (and Americans) anxiously await Presidential Election results, we thought it might be nice to reflect on all the heartwarming things that happened during at the polls in NYC this year.
Some were on Election Day yesterday, others happened during Early Voting last week, but all are some feel-good stories you probably need to remember right about now:
1. Paul Rudd Handed Out Cookies
Hey, look at us, who would’ve thought.. we’d be enjoying cookies with Paul Rudd after voting in BK😎 #MakeHistoryHere pic.twitter.com/WyJfbKvwFT
— Barclays Center (@barclayscenter) October 29, 2020
During early voting on Thursday, October 29, none other than beloved actor Paul Rudd was spotted at the Barclays Center bringing cookies to voter waiting on line in the rain! “I want to thank you for coming out and voting and doing your part,” he said in videos captured on Twitter. As if he wasn’t already everyone’s favorite actor!
2. Patti Smith Gave an Impromptu Performance
Shared by Joy to the Polls, a non-partisan movement to bring joy to the polls and make voting a celebration, rock legend Patti Smith sang her 1988 song “People Have the Power” to voters on Sixth Avenue for voters. She ended with, “Don’t forget it. Use your voice. Vote!”
3. The Met Opera Orchestra Played A Beautiful Rendition ‘My Country ‘Tis of Thee’ For Voters
"Let Freedom Ring" – musicians from the @MetOpera orchestra play near a polling station by @LincolnCenter this morning @METOrchestra #PlayForTheVote #ElectionDay #nyc #Election2020 pic.twitter.com/ApmKi4T9ne
— Anthony Mason (@AnthonyMasonCBS) November 3, 2020
On Election Day yesterday, members of the Met Opera Orchestra were seen giving breathtaking musical performance to voters near Lincoln Center on the Upper West Side. So soothing!
4. This Marching Band Got Brooklyn Voters Hyped
We have one question for EVERYONE today…. DID YOU VOTE? #ElectionDay #RockTheVote #Vote2020 ##GoVote pic.twitter.com/S9d6Y3WWMY
— Brooklyn United (@BKunitedMB) November 3, 2020
The Brooklyn United Marching Band, a community-based organization that serves young people throughout NYC, was out cheering Brooklyn voters on yesterday evening. They would ask passers by if they voted, and when they said “yes,” they would fully cheer for them! Definitely felt like a celebration.
5. NYC Poll Workers had the Sweetest Stories
We loved catching stories from poll workers on Twitter:
Scene at my NYC voting site in Hell's Kitchen: A young man, appearing a little nervous, told the desk worker it was his first time. She loudly announced this news to the crowd, prompting a burst of cheers and applause….#ElectionDay #ElectionNight #NYCvotes
— David Rompf (@DavidRompf) November 3, 2020
This first time nyc poll worker is exhausted but that was an amazing experience. My self and so many other newbie poll workers at my site helped 600+ people today! Definitely see you again @BOENYC ! #ElectionDay2020 #PollWorkers #NYCvotes pic.twitter.com/kLBzWSuHkU
— Kristin (@KacUzzi) November 4, 2020
6-7. Organizations Brought Out Free Food
Polls are just about closing in New York City! WCK’s Relief Team and our incredible restaurant partners served more than 54,000 meals near polling locations this election season, including more than 5,000 meals at 18 sites today. #ChefsForThePolls pic.twitter.com/eKNS6CThUo
— World Central Kitchen (@WCKitchen) November 4, 2020
Chef Jose Andres’s organization, World Central Kitchen turned up to feed polling sites in NYC and around the country while they waited to due their civic duty.
Pizza to the Polls was another, which would send food trucks to voters on long lines and was seen in Downtown Brooklyn:
8. The City Was Lit Up in Red, White & Blue
The Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center both showed their patriotic colors on Election Night, lighting up the NYC skies in red, white and blue!
9. The Bronx’s Ritchie Torres Will be the First Openly Gay Afro Latino Elected to Congress
A win for representation! This race was called earlier in the night on Election Day. Read more about him and the race for NY-15 here.
10. Record Turnout of Over 1 Million New Yorkers Showed Up for Early Voting
The first time Early Voting was allowed in NYC was a huge success, with over 100,000 voters turning up nearly every day and 1,119,056 coming in total. Read more here.
featured image source: Twitter / @BarclaysCenter