Long lines, some problems at NYC polling sites

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NY) - From Astoria to Brooklyn Heights, voter turnout appeared to be high in New York City Tuesday. Lines of people waiting to vote stretched down and around some city blocks. Crowds at some but not all polling locations seemed to diminish as the morning progressed.

Some sites also reported problems. All seven scanners at Yorkville Community School on East 88 Street were down. Poll workers had to hand out emergency ballots instead. They were placed in a box and will be scanned once the machines are working. Technical difficulties plagued a site on 1 Avenue between 101 Street and 102 Street. Machines went down for 30 minutes in the morning. All three scanners went down at P.S. 52 in Jamaica, Queens. Meantime, poll workers at a site in the Parkchester section of the Bronx didn't open the doors on time.

Polling sites close at 9 p.m. If you are in line before 9 p.m., you should be allowed to vote. If you're voting in New York City, keep in mind there are 4.5 million registered voters.

The best time to vote is the hours leading up to the work day and the hours immediately after the work day.

Polling sites will be fully staffed with workers who are responsible for keeping the process moving along.