NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday called for changes to be made immediately after some people were forced to wait hours in long lines for early voting.
About 193,915 people voted in New York City on Saturday and Sunday, Mayor de Blasio said during a press conference.
"Unbelieveable," de Blasio said. "We've seen nothing like it."
"This is something all New Yorkers should be proud of," he added.
The mayor said the Board of Elections was clearly "not prepared for this kind of turnout," and said they must "make adjustments immediately."
De Blasio called for an increase the number of voting machines as well as making sure there is enough staffing at those sites with long lines in order to make it a more seamless process for voters.
"Long lines tell people to go home," he explained. "Long lines at a poll site discourage voting."
According to the mayor, there are plenty of voting machines "on hold" for election day that can be bought out to help now in order to help alleviate the long wait.
Currently the weekend hours for early voting 10a.m. to 4 p.m. and they should be extended, the mayor said.
"The solutions are staring us right in the face. Let's make these changes immediately for the hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers who are ready to vote."
Additionally, the mayor said if the Board of Elections says they can't come up with the money, the city of New York will provide them with resources.
"Theres nothing more sacred than our democratic process, particularly at this moment in history," he said.
"They cannot claim they wont have the resources. This is about doing the right thing and making voting easier for all New Yorkers," he added.
Find your poll site: http://voting.nyc/