Long Island voters cite range of issues as they cast early ballots

Rising prices, taxes and the Trump administration were top of mind for Long Island voters who cast ballots on the first day of early voting Saturday.

Voters fanned out to more than four dozen polling sites in Nassau and Suffolk to cast their ballots in an election headlined by the governor's race and the Island's congressional seats. Early voting continues through Nov. 1. Election Day is Nov. 3.

For the first 90 minutes after polls opened at the Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center in Bethpage, a steady line stretched about 70 people long. Several would-be voters left after seeing the line, telling a Newsday reporter that they planned to come back later.

A technical problem with a voting machine delayed some balloting, but it was quickly resolved. The boards of elections in both Nassau and Suffolk are using new — but separate — voting machines for the first time in a general election.

Jack Butler, 28, of Seaford, was one of the first in line in Bethpage when polls opened. Voting early is important, he said, since "a lot of people have jobs and errands to go to."

"I'm proud to vote, proud to be an American, and I'm just happy to be here and voting," he said.

Jeff and Maryanne Fitch, of Plainview, both said it was important for them to get out and vote as soon as possible.

"We're early risers, so what better way to start the day than to vote," Maryanne Fitch, 71, said. "It's a great privilege."

She said "crime and taxes" were both key issues for her.

"I just want to put someone in office who works for the people," said Jeff Fitch, 74, a registered Republican who said he considered candidates from both parties when voting.

At the "Yes We Can" Community Center in Westbury, the line wasn't quite as long around 11 a.m., but a steady stream of voters came in and out.

Mark Foushee, of Westbury,  an Air Force veteran, said early voting was about civic duty.

He said after casting his ballot he hoped "the people who get in office represent the people and do the right thing. That’s all you can hope and pray for."

Aaron Bennett, 70, of Westbury, pointed to gas prices as a key concern for him after he cast his ballot.

"You can't complain if you don't get out and do something," he said.

For Bertha Aikens, of Westbury, early voting was a family affair. She was with her son, daughter and 5-year-old granddaughter.

"This was very important that we bring everybody to make sure that our vote counted," she said.

Voters at St. Anne's Hall in Brentwood were in and out in minutes around noon.

Richard Ortiz, 24, of Brentwood, said it was important to support Gov. Kathy Hochul because she has worked with Mayor Zohran Mamdani to advance his policies for New York City.

"I thought it was important to make sure that we can keep that relationship going," said Ortiz, who works as a clerk for a law firm in Manhattan.

Joe Lopez, 69, said he is supporting Republicans because they "have more common sense." He said Democrats "want to turn this country into a socialist country."

A line of about 80 people had formed at the Dix Hills Fire Department at 2:30 p.m., but it moved quickly.

Frank Calvet, 71, of Deer Park, said he cast his vote for Democrats and against the Trump administration.

"It's affordability, gas prices — you name it. It's like we're going to hell in a handbasket with this administration," Calvet said. "They don't care about us."

Craig Weinberg, 67, of Dix Hills, said bringing down taxes is a key issue, which led him to vote for Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman for governor.

"I vote who I feel, and I do think it's time for a change, and I think we need a new governor," he said.