Polls to open at 6 a.m. as Long Islanders cast ballots on Election Day
Voter mark their ballots at an early voting site at the Hempstead Recreation Center in Hempstead on Saturday. Credit: Rick Kopstein
Long Islanders will cast ballots Tuesday for president, a U.S. Senator, Congress members, state legislators, local judges and some town board positions, as well as to help decide a statewide proposition that would protect abortion rights.
Polls will open at 6 a.m. and will remain open until 9 p.m. Election officials say a big turnout is expected following record early voting since Oct. 26 and a weather forecast that calls for an usually warm and sunny day.
A voter can find his or her polling site through the state Board of Elections portal at https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov/.
The marquee race pits Democrat Kamala Harris, the current vice president; against Republican Donald Trump, a former president, to become the 47th president.
The close election means a final result for president nationally and some close congressional races on Long Island may not be determined until hours -- or days -- after the polls close.
Other big races include U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s effort to win a third term as she faced Republican Michael Sapraicone, a retired police detective.
Long Island’s four congressional races are expected to play a major play in control of the House of Representatives. Republicans now have a 220-212 majority with three vacancies.
The State Legislature, while expected to easily remain in Democratic control, faces a challenge by Republicans to continue to make inroads as in recent elections in the Senate and Assembly.
The statewide proposition on the back of most ballots also asks New Yorkers whether they want to protect abortion rights in the state constitution, which would provide more powerful protection than under current law. The proposition would also add more groups of people for protection under the constitution against discrimination because of issues including how they identify their gender.
In Suffolk County, voters will see a proposition that asks them to hike sales taxes by an eighth of a percentage point for the construction of new sewers and septic systems.
Election officials urge any voter who sees intimidation or obstacles to voting to contact the state Attorney General’s Election Protection Hotline at 866-390-2992 or by visiting electionhotline.ag.ny.gov.
Michael Gormley has worked for Newsday since 2013, covering state government, politics and issues. He has covered Albany since 2001.
