NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- During his press briefing, de Blasio said that the city will look into Board Of Election reforms after the election and said that the city will "have hundreds of Election Day observers to monitor intimidators."
As voters head to the polls on Tuesday, Mayor Bill de Blasio told 1010 WINS that the city's main focus is a safe Election Day and maximizing everyone's participation.
Anyone who has not had a chance to vote, can do so until 9 p.m the mayor noted, adding that "this is the chance to decide the course of our nation," and everyone should participate.
This Election Day, the stakes couldn't be higher" for the city de Blasio said.
According to the mayor, this election will decide whether the city will "get the kind of stimulus that will help this city recover, get back on its feet and move forward."
"There is so much on the line right now," he added.
This year, however celebrations will look a bit different, he told 1010 WINS.
"There obviously are not traditional celebration and gatherings," de Blasio said.
With 1.1 million early voters in New York City, he advises people to stay home if they have nowhere to go as the "goal is to stay safe" just like any other day in this pandemic.
Th mayor said there are no plans for any "major demonstrations" across the city but it may play out more as the day continues.
He assured residents and store owners that have boarded up their stores that "the city is ready, the NYPD is ready," but the most important thing is participation in the election.
Deputy Mayor Phil Thompson said that most polls opened on time but there were several locations that opened late.
“That is not acceptable,” Thompson said and added that the Board of Elections has been informed.