Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul in a wide-ranging interview on Wednesday said an expansion of early voting should be considered in New York, as more than 1 million voters since Saturday have cast ballots. 

"I think we can take this back and see about the hours," Hochul said. "In fact some counties are already adjusting their hours."

Early voting ends on Sunday, November 1. Dates and times are up to local elections officials and some have already added more early voting hours. 

Hochul is not on the ballot this year, but is still making her voice heard this election season on voting safely, the U.S. Supreme Court and encouraging more women to run for state, federal and local office.  

Hochul said she was encouraged by the number of people who are casting votes early this year despite the long lines. Women, in particular, have benefitted from being able to cast a ballot on a day other than the first Tuesday in November given the daily demands placed on them, she said. 

"Women are the ones who in the course of just 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. it was tough for them to get their on Election Day," she said. "This is going to open up options for everybody." 

Hochul has tried to recruit more women to run in down-ballot races over the years and has pointed to her own biography and challenges in doing so. Women are running in key races this year for the state Legislature as well as congressional campaigns across the state. 

"I've overcome all the barriers," Hochul said. "I've campaigned with preschoolers. I know how hard it is. But I also know how important is to have there at the table, in the corridors of power." 

But Hochul is not pleased with the confirmation of Justice Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court, replacing Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a liberal icon. Barrett's confirmation is expected to tilt the court to a 6-3 majority for its conservative wing. 

"It's a shame the state of New York and a few progressive states will wind up being the outliers," she said. "With the Supreme Court's 6-3 majority, it's all at risk."