Early voting begins: Long lines reported Saturday at Long Island polling places

There were lines of people waiting to cast ballots outside several Long Island polling places Saturday morning as the first day of early voting in the general election kicked off.

In downtown Glen Cove at 9:30 a.m., over 100 stood in a line to vote at City Hall. Some, who skewed toward the middle-aged, said they waited over an hour to vote; polling places in Nassau County had opened at 9.

“The line was so, so long,” said Ruth Yuen, 90. “I heard they open at 9 o’clock, so I came at 8:15 and I thought I would be at the very front” of the line, but there was already a crowd. She voted around 9:45 a.m., she said.

At the Wyandanch Public Library, more than 40 people waited in line before polls there and the rest of Suffolk County opened at 10 a.m. Within a few minutes, the line expanded out the front entrance as a security guard and poll workers helped guide people.

A steady stream of voters arrived during the first hour.

Wanda Moore, of Babylon, arrived an hour before voting started and cast the first ballot at the site. “This is important for women,” she said of the election.

Lines also were reported outside polling places in Levittown, Hempstead, Massapequa and Kings Park, where voters at Kings Park High School said they waited at least an hour to cast a ballot Saturday morning.

Republican former President Donald Trump faces Democrat Vice President Kamala Harris in the race for the White House.

Glen Cove turnout

In Glen Cove, Marie Divincenzo, 77, of that city, said she voted for Trump because she cares about inflation and immigration.

“Trump said that he's not going to charge a tax [on] Social Security, which is a big thing. I'm thinking of retiring. ... So, that would be a great thing for me,” said Divincenzo, a teaching aide.

Susan Freeland, who declined to give her age, said she was voting for Harris in what she described as “the most consequential election” of her life.

“The most important issue is the preservation of law and the Constitution,” she said. “I just worry ... about our future, the future of my grandchildren.”

John Maccarone, 65, said he was voting for Trump because Harris is “wrong on every one of the issues … the economy, foreign policy, immigration, men not playing with women's sports.”

Carol Foresta, 77, also said she was voting for Harris.

“I care about democracy, I care about respect for women and for people of all different faiths and diversity,” she said. “I feel that to have someone who is a convicted felon ... hold the highest level of government is just embarrassing.”

In Wyandanch, Floree Alston, 81, of that community recalled waiting 2 ½ hours to vote in a prior presidential election and said she made a point to come out for early voting. She arrived at the library around 8:30 a.m., she said, although she didn’t end up first in line since she had initially been waiting in her car.

She said she voted for Kamala Harris. “She’s for the people,” Alston said. “She’s for us.”

While the presidential race highlights the 2024 election, voters across Suffolk County will decide a number of local races, including a proposition that would raise sales taxes by an eighth of a percentage point to help fund improved wastewater treatment systems.

Shawnta Mackey, 36, of Wyandanch, said she voted in favor of the proposition.

“Protecting the water, we really need that,” she said.

Norina Geter, 72, of Lindenhurst, planned to cast an early vote alongside her son, Earl Ingram, 49. But the pair had already requested an absentee ballot since they planned to be out of town on Election Day. Rather than voting by traditional means, the pair handed in their absentee ballots.

“Democracy is at stake,” Geter said. “It’s important to make sure we keep our democracy. That’s why we were so diligent to make sure we got here early and got it done because there’s too much at stake.”

A line in Kings Park

In Kings Park at noon, a line of more than 100 people stretched from the high school entrance into the parking lot.

David Grinberg, 56, of Smithtown, said it was his first time voting early. He searched online Friday night to find the closest location.

A registered Independent who voted for Trump, Grinberg said his top priority for a new administration is “unconditional support for Israel.” He said secure borders and the economy are also key issues.

“I think unfortunately it’s been very contentious between a lot of people and I don’t’ think it should be that way,” he said of the election cycle. “Everyone should respect everyone’s opinions regarding who they vote for.”

Stephanie Menzer, 40, of Smithtown, waited more than hour alongside her husband and their 16-month-old son to vote. She said early voting provided convenience around her work schedule. She said she “feels strongly” about keeping Trump out of office for a second term.

Ashley Stika, 32, of Kings Park, said she cast her first ballot in a New York election after previously living in Arizona. She said she considers herself a moderate and had been undecided until a speech from former candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. solidified her vote for Trump.

The election also includes races for Congress, the state Senate, state Assembly and judgeships.

There are several ways for registered voters to cast ballots in the general election through Election Day, Nov. 5.

A Nassau County voter may vote at any early voting site, which may not include the voter’s traditional polling place. The early voting sites are available on the county Board of Elections website or through the state Board of Elections online portal.

A Suffolk County voter may vote at any early site. Early voting sites can be accessed through the state online portal.

With Michael Gormley, Josh Stewart and Olivia Winslow

Check back for updates on this developing story.