Early voting kicks off in New York, New Jersey Saturday

People vote at the Queens Public Library during early voting for the U.S. Presidential election on October 24, 2020 in the Jackson Heights neighborhood in the Queens borough in New York City.
People vote at the Queens Public Library during early voting for the U.S. Presidential election on October 24, 2020 in the Jackson Heights neighborhood in the Queens borough in New York City. Photo credit Stephanie Keith/Getty Images

NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Early voting began Saturday in New York and New Jersey as candidates make their last-minute pitches to voters.

Democratic mayoral candidate Eric Adams is viewed as the heavy favorite against GOP rival Curtis Sliwa, significantly out funding him in the heavily Democratic city.

Sliwa, the Guardian Angels founder, and Adams, the Brooklyn borough president, were out at campaign events Saturday.

"It doesn't matter what language you speak; what religion you're a part of; what business you're in. It doesn't matter what block you live on. We're in this together," Adams said during a Saturday event in Chinatown. "We're going to show the unifying energy of New York City."

Both Adams, a former NYPD captain, and Sliwa have made public safety a cornerstone of their campaigns — but each has different approaches to cut down crime.

Sliwa on Saturday took time to critize Adams for labeling Sliwa a "racist"

"Clearly, I'm getting under Eric Adam's skin. I mean this guy is vitriolic against me. He's called me every name in the books — none of it sticks," Sliwa said. "And I go into the neighborhoods where he's tried to cast dispersions against me — where the only Republican they've seen is Abraham Lincoln on a $5 bill — and it hasn't worked."

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Saturday also marked the opening of early voting polls in New Jersey — the first time the state has implemented the policy. Gov. Phil Murphy planned to stump with former president Barack Obama in Newark.

New York City polls opened Saturday morning at 8 a.m. at 106 early-voting sites across the five boroughs, marking the first time city residents are able to vote early for a mayoral candidate before Election Day on Nov. 2.

Early voting hours will vary over the next week before election day, as follows:

EARLY VOTING NYC HOURS 

Saturday, Oct. 23: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 24: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 25: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 26: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 27: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 28: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 29: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 30: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 31: from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images