'It's our right': Early voting begins across Long Island

Voters across Long Island cast their ballots at dozens of sites in Nassau and Suffolk counties Saturday, the first day of early voting statewide.

They cited the convenience and ease of voting ahead of Election Day, as well as civic duty, as they exited polling sites at the outset of the nine-day early voting period.

By the time polls closed at 6 p.m. Islandwide, more than 8,800 had chosen their candidates. Elections commissioners in both counties reported no issues.

"We prepped well and it was an uneventful day, which is what you want in an election day," said Nassau County Democratic Elections Commissioner James Scheuerman.

Registered voters are eligible to vote at any of the designated early polling locations in their respective county for the local elections. Nassau and Suffolk each have 27 early voting sites. Among the featured races: Suffolk County executive, and seats on various town councils and both county legislatures. 

If voters wait until Election Day, Nov. 7, they must cast a ballot at their specific polling location. 

Mozella Haskins, 70, of Brentwood, was among the first voters at the Knights of Columbus in her home community. She said it was a “smooth” process.

“You never know what can happen during the day,” she said of her decision to arrive by the 10 a.m. start.

Daniel Mitola, 55, of Hauppauge, who voted in Brentwood, said he was out running errands with his wife and son, and voting was on their agenda.

“To me it’s important, and it’s as important for the local races as the national races,” he said. “They’re the ones that can make the most difference in local taxes, to quality of life, to your local roadways.”

A total of 4,145 people voted in Suffolk County on Saturday, according to John Alberts, Democratic elections commissioner in Suffolk. In Nassau, 4,693 voted, according to Scheuerman.

Early voting in New York began in 2019. Most years, including last year, it attracts as much as 20% of the total statewide vote.

Marvin Allen, 72, of Bay Shore, recalled waiting on long lines to vote in years past and said he prefers early voting. "Walk in, walk out," he said after casting his ballot in Brentwood. 

In Nassau, the polls opened at 9 a.m., an hour earlier than in Suffolk. The first vote of the day cast at Valley Stream Presbyterian Church came shortly afterward, with a handful of voters filtering into the church in the hour that followed.

Mohamed Yaseen, 46, of Valley Stream, said he has been voting early in recent years to avoid crowds. He cited issues within the school district his children attend as an added incentive to head to the church Saturday morning.

“That’s how we can raise our voice,” Yaseen said.

In Wyandanch on Saturday afternoon, a “Party to the Polls” rally sponsored by Black Voters of Long Island and other organizations aimed to bring together voters in a festive atmosphere with food, music and free signs that read "Your vote matters."

“We’re hoping to mobilize and encourage Black voters to vote during the early voting weekends,” said co-organizer Retha Fernandez of Black Voters of Long Island.

A shuttle provided voters transportation from the rally at Wyandanch Plaza to a nearby polling site.

Dan Lloyd, founder and president of Minority Millennials, said his organization focuses on improving voter turnout among the younger population.

Several candidates spoke to the crowd and New York Attorney General Letitia James was a surprise guest. She reminded those in attendance of the importance of voting in local elections.

Helmut Kofler was among the stream of voters who passed through the election site at the Mid-Island Y JCC in Plainview on Saturday morning. Kofler, 79, said he voted “straight Republican, all the way across” for his first time voting before Election Day. 

For Elliot Wittenberg, 68, from Old Bethpage, early voting is a necessity: This year, he’ll be out of the country on Election Day, he said.

Mary Calvie and Ernest Calvie, both 73, of Plainview, said a civic duty to vote motivates them to head to the polls early each year. 

“It’s our right. If you don’t like what's happening, you vote," Ernest said.

With Michael Gormley