Election Day 2025: How it all unfolded on LI

Nassau plan to speed up election results didn't pan out, Dem commissioner says

The Nassau County Board of Elections' experiment with uploading memory sticks from polling sites to speed up election night tallies didn’t pan out, Democratic Commissioner James Scheuerman said shortly before 1 a.m. as results were still not counted for all precincts.

“It just didn’t work out the way it was supposed to,” Scheuerman said. Pre-election day testing hadn’t been up to the scale of hundreds of memory stick results coming in at the same time, he said.

While the software was processing the uploads they couldn’t update the website, he said.

Also, after midnight, the board of elections was going to paper receipts from some voting machines because some memory sticks were missing, Scheuerman said.

Doublechecking Suffolk election results

The Suffolk County Board of Elections’ new website may cause some confusion if you don’t look closely. Just because a race has all of its election districts reported, does not mean all the votes for those precincts have been counted and posted online.

Visitors to the website should click the “view results by election district” link to see whether all the votes have been tallied into the unofficial results, election officials said.

“Election night complete” means votes from that district from Election Day have been counted. “Partially reported” means that votes reflect an incomplete count.

Suffolk election officials declined Newsday’s request to share how many people voted in the election.

Close races will receive a hand recount. Those races must be within a half-percent margin of total votes, or 20 votes, whichever is less.

Mayor-elect Mamdani delivers direct message to President Trump

During his victory speech, Zohran Mamdani quoted Eugene Victor Debs, a former state representative and a national chairman of the defunct Socialist Party of America, as well as Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first prime minister.

The mayor-elect vowed to work with the New York City Department “to reduce crime and create a Department of Community Safety that tackles the mental health crisis and homelessness crises head on.”

In addressing Republican President Donald Trump directly, Mamdani said, “Donald Trump, since I know you’re watching, I have four words for you: Turn the volume up.”

“New York will remain a city of immigrants, a city built by immigrants, powered by immigrants, and as of tonight, led by an immigrant,” he added. “So hear me President Trump when I say this: To get through any of us, you will have to get through all of us.”

While Trump had yet to post about Mamdani by name via Truth Social, around 11:35 p.m. the president wrote “AND SO IT BEGINS!”

At 11:50 p.m., Mamdani, joined by his wife and his father and mother, Mahmood Mamdani and Mira Nair, left the stage of the music venue.

To track who’s up or down, visit Newsday’s results page here.

Most Suffolk incumbents keep their seats; Stark loses

Most Suffolk County Legislature candidates won their seats, with the only exception being Legis. Catherine Stark for the 1st District.

Legis. Stephanie Bontempi (R-Centerport) declared victory in the 18th district.

“This was a hairy one but we did it," Bontempi said.

Unofficial results show Bontempi narrowly ahead of Democrat Craig D. Herskowitz.

Jay Jacobs 'disappointed' in some Nassau races

Jay Jacobs, chair of the New York State Democratic Committee, said he was "very disappointed" about the tentative vote tally from the stage at the Nassau Democratic election party in Garden City.

Jacobs did not concede any race on behalf of Democratic candidates, but told audience members "the numbers right now, unless there is some significant change, do not look as good as I would have liked them to look."

"We still do not have finality, [but] I will tell you where I think we stand: unfortunately, I do not believe that our countywide ticket is going to have the night we would have hoped here this evening," said Jacobs. "I’ll be very candid with you and say that, on that score, I am very disappointed because ... I have never been prouder of or seen a finer crew of candidates."

Democratic candidate for Hempstead Supervisor Joe Scianablo, Nassau County executive candidate Seth Koslow and Nassau County district attorney candidate Nicole Aloise did not address the crowd in Garden City.

To track who’s up or down, visit Newsday’s results page here.

Suffolk Democratic Party chair says lengthening terms is 'unconstitutional'

Suffolk Democratic Chairman Rich Schaffer said Democrats are considering a lawsuit to invalidate a ballot measure on county term limits that was passed Tuesday.

“I believe that it will be found unconstitutional, and that then the races would have to be run again next year,” Schaffer said.

He said the gains made by Democrats will help mount their campaign next year.

“It allows us to attract other candidates for next year,” Schaffer said. “It'll make it easier to attract candidates in some of these districts and put resources into them, so that we can hopefully bring back a Democratic majority in the county legislature, and it'll allow us to attract candidates on the town level as well.”

To track who’s up or down, visit Newsday’s results page here.

Donnelly, Phillips thank supporters after declaring victory

Shortly after Bruce Blakeman declared victory in the race for Nassau County executive, Anne Donnelly took to the stage thanking supporters.

“I’m going to spend the next four years making sure we stay the safest county in America.”

Nassau County Comptroller Elaine Phillips also spoke, saying, “We are truly grateful. God bless you all and let’s celebrate!”

To track who’s up or down, visit Newsday’s results page here. 

Hempstead Supervisor John Ferretti declares victory

Hempstead Town Supervisor John Ferretti declared victory in his race for the seat over Joe Scianablo. 

“This was a victory for all of us. We sent the message to New York City that there’s a big red line between New York City and the Town of Hempstead … and we will never, never let socialists take over our Town of Hempstead,” Ferretti said at the Nassau County GOP watch party. 

Scianablo said the results were “a little bit of a disappointment for me,” but told Newsday, “We’re definitely entertaining running again next year.”

“I believe we need to hold people accountable, especially elected officials. I also believe that political insiders should not be taking care of themselves and the people should be put first all of the time. That’s what I plan on continuing to do no matter what,” he said.

To track who’s up or down, visit Newsday’s results page here.

California voters approve new U.S. House map with up to 5 more Democratic seats

California voters on Tuesday approved a ballot measure that would implement a new congressional map drawn to elect more Democrats to the U.S. House.

The new map, drawn and passed by the Democratic-controlled state Legislature and pushed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, could help flip five seats from Republican to Democratic in next year’s midterm elections. The map would be in place for the next three election cycles.

The measure was introduced in response to Texas’ midcycle redistricting, which also aims to flip five seats to elect more Republicans. The ballot measure, known as Proposition 50, directs California’s independent redistricting commission to resume enacting congressional maps in 2031.

'The future is in our hands': Mayor-elect Mamdani delivers victory speech

In thanking his supporters at the Brooklyn Paramount around 11:15 p.m., Mamdani said together they “toppled a political dynasty.”

"For as long as we can remember, the working people of New York have been told by the wealthy and the well connected that the power does not belong in their hands," Mamdani said.

"Fingers bruised from lifting boxes on the warehouse floor, palms calloused from delivery-bike handlebars, knuckles scarred with kitchen burns, these are not hands that have been allowed to hold power. And yet over the last 12 months, you have dared to reach for something greater. Tonight, against all odds, we have grasped it. The future is in our hands.”

Regarding his opponent, Mamdani said he wished his opponent former Gov. Andrew Cuomo "only the best in private life" before adding, "Let tonight be the final time I utter his name as we turn the page on the politics that abandons the many and answers only to the few."

To track who’s up or down, visit Newsday’s results page here.

Blakeman declares victory in race for Nassau County executive

Republican incumbent Bruce Blakeman declared victory Tuesday night in his race against Legis. Seth Koslow for Nassau County executive.

“Four years ago, we made promises. We said we wouldn’t be a sanctuary county. We said we would take the masks off the kids. … We said we wouldn’t raise taxes. We haven’t raised taxes one penny in four years,” Blakeman said.

Blakeman, 70, of Atlantic Beach, was seeking a second term after four years of on-time budgets that kept the property tax levy flat but dipped into reserve funds. In his reelection campaign, he promised to keep taxes low and boost security to thwart against a perceived threat from New York City if Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee, should become mayor.

Koslow, 43, of Merrick, questioned the Blakeman administration on its right-leaning policies and spending on private law firms. He also has called for an investigation of the Blakeman-appointed former executive leadership of Nassau University Medical Center, the county's cash-strapped hospital for the poor and uninsured and proposed a reimbursement program for drivers who paid red-light camera fees.

To track who’s up or down, visit Newsday’s results page here.

Cuomo congratulates Mamdani, says he's made promises that can't be fulfilled

In addressing his supporters Tuesday evening, Andrew Cuomo — who lost his independent bid against Zohran Mamdani — thanked Mayor Eric Adams for stepping down "to make us more competitive," which he called "a very gracious thing to do."

“Congratulations to Z. Mamdani,” Cuomo said, to loud boos, which he quieted by raising his hands. “That is not right — that is not right and that is not us. Tonight was their night and as they start their transition to government, we will all help in any way we can because we need our New York City government to work.

Cuomo said he raked in the "highest percentage" of votes for an independent candidate in a city mayoral race "in modern history," slightly higher than the percentage his father, Mario Cuomo, secured in his 1977 independent bid against Democrat Ed Koch.

The former governor disavowed Mamdani’s agenda as "promises" that cannot be fulfilled.

"We support an economy of jobs, of opportunity, of entrepreneurship; that’s what New York is, and that’s what New York must remain," Cuomo said to applause. "We will not make the NYPD the enemy. ... And we have no tolerance of discrimination of any kind ... and we will not tolerate any behavior that fans the flames of antisemitism."

To track who’s up or down, visit Newsday’s results page here.

Nassau chairwoman of NY GOP Latinos issues warning on Mamdani

“Our main focus is quality of life, safety and taxes,” said Wanda Arroyo, Nassau chairwoman of the New York Republican Latinos.

“We’re going to pay some part of whatever they’re planning to do there,” she said of Zohran Mamdani’s win. “Any free benefits is going to come out of our pockets, our budget.”

To track who’s up or down, visit Newsday’s results page here.

New York attorney general, staunch Mamdani supporter, says 'sleeping giant has awoken'

“The politics of the past just don't work," New York State Attorney General Letitia James said at Zohran Mamdani's watch party Tuesday evening. "New Yorkers recognize that they wanted a different direction, and they wanted to focus, obviously, on politics that were fresh and new and the politics of the future."

"A sleeping giant has awoken," James said. She added that unsung laborers "now have a seat at the table of power, and joining that new group, and the traditional Democratic base, is obviously gonna have an impact on the body politic in New York City, and in this country going forward."

To track who’s up or down, visit Newsday’s results page here.

Blakeman disappointed over Mamdani victory

"I’m feeling good. We just got some early returns in," Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said, adding that he expected his race to be called at around 11 p.m.

Asked about Mamdani’s win, he said, "Obviously I’m very disappointed. The fact that someone who’s a Communist and a virulent antisemite is the mayor of New York City is incredibly disappointing to me."

To track who’s up or down, visit Newsday’s results page here.

At Cuomo watch party, worries over Mamdani's victory

Minutes after the AP called the New York City mayor’s race for Zohran Mamdani, Skylar Ribotsky, 22, a recent Binghamton University graduate, said, “The idea of a Mayor Mamdani is very scary to a lot of people in this room.”

She said she spent the day canvassing for Andrew Cuomo on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. “I don’t want to be delusional,” she said. “I hoped real New Yorkers would come out and say this guy’s policies or his vision for the world goes against everything we believe in.”

But that had been a hard case to make, she said. “Support for him in my age group — I can’t escape it, it’s everywhere.”

She said she was troubled, as a Jewish woman, by Mamdani’s “inability to genuinely understand or take ownership” of political rhetoric like the phrase “Globalize the intifada” that she said caused lasting harm to Jews, including Jewish New Yorkers, the largest population of Jews outside Israel.

She described Mamdani as glib — a highly effective communicator but no architect of policy. Mamdani’s free bus platform, for instance, “sounds great, but doesn’t work,” she said.

“Somebody has to pay for this, and who?”

To track who’s up or down, visit Newsday’s results page here.

Suffolk officials clarify results

Despite several Suffolk races reporting all precincts, party officials said the numbers may only reflect early voting and mail-in ballots.

Suffolk County Democratic Minority Leader Jason Richberg said the party is still waiting for numbers of poll results to come in.

Suffolk County Democratic Legis. Rebecca Sanin, who was leading Republican Challenger Chad Lupinacci, said she thought the lead reflected only early voting.

Nassau County results still were not posted online shortly after 10 p.m. Board of Elections Democratic Commissioner James Scheuerman said in a text message that the experiment in uploading memory sticks from polling sites was working but suggested information overload. “Good news is the data is working on the faster results,” Scheuerman said. “Just too much at once.”

Newsday's Ted Phillips contributed to this post

To track who’s up or down, visit Newsday’s results page here.

Nassau DA says office has 'plan in place' with Mamdani win

“I feel good. Our numbers are good,” Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said just before 10:00p.m.

Asked about Zohran Mamdani’s win in the neighboring five boroughs, she said, “We have a plan in place. What’s going to be good on one side of the street is not going to be good on the other side of the street.”

“It’s not coming out to Nassau County,” she continued. “I will prosecute misdemeanor crimes. I will prosecute prostitution.”

Scianablo remains enthusiastic in race against Ferretti

Democratic candidate for Hempstead Town Supervisor Joe Scianablo told Newsday he was “excited” and “very optimistic” ahead of the results at the Nassau Democrat election party in Garden City. Scianablo is challenging Hempstead Town Supervisor John Ferretti. 

“But more importantly, I’m in a room with real, true patriots right here,” he said. “People who have volunteered since Day One, who have sacrificed their time for the greater good to make sure the peoples’ voices are heard — not just the political insiders’ voices anymore, but to make sure all of the people are represented properly in the Town of Hempstead.

Scianablo added, “I’m feeling extremely humbled and extremely excited about this race.”

To track who’s up or down, visit Newsday’s results page here.

Update: Ballot question extending length of terms for Suffolk County Legislature members still pending

A referendum to extend the length of terms for county legislators from two to four years is still pending, unofficial results show.

To track who’s up or down, visit Newsday’s results page here.

Suffolk, Nassau BOEs begin manually receiving results

Ballots and memory sticks started arriving at the Nassau County Board of Elections in Mineola shortly before 9:30 p.m., 15 minutes before Suffolk's County Board of Elections received theirs. 

The first memory cards with votes arrived at the Suffolk County Board of Elections from polling sites at Eagle Elementary School in Medford and the Medford firehouse. Votes are also being received at police precincts across the county. Election officials said data from the memory cards are uploaded and posted online. Election officials previously said that results should start showing up on the board of elections’ website around now.

Update: Huntington supervisor race too close to call

Cooper Macco is leading Edmund J. Smyth in race for Huntington supervisor. 

To track who’s up or down, visit Newsday’s results page here.

Cuomo still no-show at watch party as supporters begin to leave

People are leaving the Andrew Cuomo watch party, where NY1 has been showing the chyron "AP: Mamdani Wins Race for Mayor" for the last 10 minutes. There is no sign of the former governor.

Suffolk County Legislature presiding officer keeps eye on ballot question results

Suffolk Legis. Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst), the presiding officer who will leave office at the end of the year due to term limits, said he was “on the edge a little” even though he’s not up for reelection.

“I want to leave this place in a better place than I found it,” he said.

He said he was hopeful the proposition passes to extend the length of terms for legislators from two to four years.

“It’s all craziness, you know, running three times in four years,” he said.

To track who’s up or down, visit Newsday’s results page here.

Mamdani wins race for NYC mayor

Zohran Mamdani was elected mayor of New York City on Tuesday, capping a stunning ascent for the 34-year-old state lawmaker, who was set to become the city’s most liberal mayor in generations.

In a victory for the Democratic party’s progressive wing, Mamdani defeated former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. Mamdani must now navigate the unending demands of America’s biggest city and deliver on ambitious — skeptics say unrealistic — campaign promises.

Read more here

To track who’s up or down, visit Newsday’s results page here.

Sliwa concedes as Mamdani stays ahead of Cuomo

Curtis Sliwa, the Republican nominee for mayor, concedes while alleging that he received a recent call to “bribe” him to drop out of the race. He claimed, without any proof, that he was offered $10 million to leave the race.

Sliwa said that he received a call in which a person said to him, “ ‘C'mon Curtis, everybody has a price.’ But guess what, we don’t have a price. You can’t buy us.”

“They tried to bribe me out of this race,” Sliwa said.

He also sent a message to Zohran Mamdani, without naming him.

“If you try to implement socialism,” Sliwa said, “we’re not only organizing, but we are mobilizing and we will become the mayor-elect and his supporters' worst enemies.”

To track who’s up or down, visit Newsday’s results page here.

Sherrill wins race for governor in New Jersey

Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill was elected New Jersey governor on Tuesday over Republican Jack Ciattarelli, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump.

Sherrill will succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy, marking the first time since 1961 that one party has won three consecutive terms in the New Jersey governor’s mansion.

The race was closely watched as a potential bellwether for the 2026 midterms.

Read more here

To track who’s up or down, visit Newsday’s results page here.

Ferretti confident as results pending

Hempstead Town Supervisor John Ferretti, who is running for election after being appointed to the seat in August after his predecessor resigned, said he was feeling hopeful on Tuesday night.

"I’m feeling confident," he said, speaking to Newsday at the Nassau GOP election watch party in Baldwin. "Opposing everything Zohran Mamdani stands for ... that resonated with voters."

The New York City mayoral race is "a pivotal reason why we’re having a large turnout," Ferretti said. Nassau Republicans outpaced Democrats in early voting this year. While the GOP makes up 31% of active voters, they made up 43% of early votes through Sunday.

To track who’s up or down, visit Newsday’s results page here.

Mamdani leads in early returns

With 36% of the vote tallied in New York City, according to the Associated Press citing the New York Times, Zohran Mamdani has more than 51% of the vote. Andrew M. Cuomo has 39.7%, while Curtis Sliwa has 8%.

Minutes after polls closed, New York City's Board of Elections posted early results showing Mamdani with 51.52% of the votes counted and Cuomo with 39.67%. Just under 11% of scanners had been counted.

Volunteers Mahtab Khan, of Jamaica, Queens, and Kharul Islam and Kobir Chowdhury, of Ozone Park, Queens, celebrated at Mamdani’s victory party.

The attire at the election night party for Mamdani was unlike any in memory: headscarves, kufis, keffiyehs, tunics and other head coverings.

To track who’s up or down, visit Newsday’s results page here.

Crowds start filling out election watch parties

The Ziegfeld Ballroom is starting to fill with Cuomo supporters. Crystal Morales, 34, is one of them. A Washington Heights paralegal and former Marco Rubio intern, she said she was a political independent and “longtime fan of the Cuomo family.”

In Andrew Cuomo, Morales said she saw a leader who could work with President Donald Trump and the federal government. That would be harder for Zohran Mamdani, and that was reason for worry, she said. “It’s going to be a little hellish.… I think they’re so far opposite that I don’t think they could work together.”

Mamdani campaign promises about free buses and low-cost, city-owned grocery stores struck her as hucksterism, she said. “The guy’s not realistic, saying a bunch of things are going to be free. He doesn’t have the power to do that.”

At Mamdani’s election night party: streamer Hassan Piker, who in 2019 said, and then apologized for saying, that “America deserved 9/11.” During the mayoral campaign, Cuomo repeatedly faulted Mamdani for associating with Piker and granting him an interview.

“I’m hoping, inshallah, praying for a 55% victory for Zohran Mamdani,” Piker said.

Turnout for the New York City mayor's race hit 2 million for the first time since 1969, the city's Board of Elections reported at 8:45 p.m., with 15 minutes still left for voters to cast ballots.

To track who’s up or down, visit Newsday’s results page here.

Polls officially close across Long Island as early returns trickle in

Polls across Long Island will be closed following a combined 10 days of early voting and Tuesday’s general election. The election has seen hundreds of thousands of Long Islanders come out to vote in races that include Nassau County executive, district attorney, county legislature races and more.

Long Islanders who arrived at their polling site before 9 p.m. can still vote even if polls closed.

To track who’s up or down, visit Newsday’s results page here.

At Nassau Board of Elections, a pledge to cure ballots

About 400 to 500 mail-in ballots received so far have had problems, Nassau County Board of Elections Democratic Commissioner James Scheuerman said Tuesday night.

"If the signatures don't match or something's wrong with it, we seek to cure those ballots," Scheuerman said. "Our goal is to make sure that all the ballots count."

When there’s a problem, the board of elections reaches out to the voter by phone and mail to try to get the ballot cured and counted, he said.

"Some have been cured and some continue to be cured, for the next 14 days, Scheuerman said.

Mail-in ballots must be postmarked no later than Nov. 4 and received within seven days to be counted, he said.

At Sliwa election night watch party, hope for a win

Red berets, suits and the occasional Donald Trump paraphernalia are in the crowd at Arte Cafe on the Upper West Side, where New York City’s Republican nominee, Curtis Sliwa, is hosting his watch party.

“Can you imagine if Curtis Sliwa was the mayor of New York?” said Alan Gotlied, of the Bronx.

Gotlied was wearing a Trump shirt. He and his friend Matt Solomon are part of a group who rallied against vaccine mandates. They hold ill will toward former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the independent mayoral candidate who lost the Democratic nomination.

“They’re trying to say Curtis’ people are the spoilers,” Solomon said. “I’m saying [Cuomo's] the real spoiler.”

Master Tsang said he joined the Guardian Angels five years ago, when his Flushing business closed down amid the COVID-19 pandemic and a spike in hate crimes against Asian Americans.

“To me, he already lost to [Zohran] Mamdani in the primary so he should be the one that drops out,” Tsang said about Cuomo while referring to the Democratic nominee.

Plates of meatballs, calamari and garlic bread were handed out.

Others held disdain for Mamdani. One man wore a blue blazer, jeans and a T-shirt that said, “Commies aren’t cool,” with a strike-through sign over Che Guevara’s face. A woman wore an “anti mamdani social club” T-shirt, a riff on a popular shirt brand.

'Is it too late?!': From Baldwin to Bayport, evening voters rush to their poll site

About an hour before polls closed at the Lenox School polling site in Baldwin, just off a still, silent street, one eager voter raced down the block.

“Is it too late?!” he yelled out his car window. “No!” someone replied.

Voters who just got off work trickled in and out of the school. Among them was David Sayles, a pastor who moved from Brooklyn to Baldwin 33 years ago. For Sayles, recently-shuttered SNAP benefits and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement were top of mind.

“I have family in Brooklyn, and they literally have to walk around with their passports. They gotta walk around with their birth certificates,” said Sayles, 58.

Isaiah Blemur, 22, who recently graduated from NYU, was excited to cast his hometown ballot on Tuesday. Most of what he’d learned about Nassau’s races came from spiteful ads, he said.

“There would be times where I’ll be getting my hair braided, I’d be at this lady’s house, and she had Fox News open so I’d see a lot of pro-Blakeman ads,” Blemur said.

“There were a lot of words being thrown at people. … The ads are like, ‘This person did that, so you should vote for me,’ instead of, ‘Here’s what I’m going to do."

Charlie Burst, 60, of Bayport, described a civic duty echoed by many voters Tuesday after he cast a ballot at Bayport-Blue Point High School.

“You can’t complain unless you vote,” he said. “You have to have some kind of say.”

He said the statewide proposition to allow skiing facilities on state forest preserve land was of particular interest to him.

“I think it would be cool to expand the Olympics,” he said, referring to the Mount Van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports Complex in Essex County.

Spanberger wins race for governor in Virginia

Democrat Abigail Spanberger won the governor’s race in Virginia on Tuesday, defeating Republican Winsome Earle-Sears.

Spanberger will succeed Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who is not allowed to run for a second consecutive term. Her victory aligns with recent voting patterns in Virginia, which picks its governors the year after a presidential election and tends to elect someone of the opposite party of the president.

Spanberger, a former case officer with the CIA, flipped a U.S. House seat in Northern Virginia in 2018 and retired from Congress in 2024 to run for governor. She will be the state’s first female governor.

Read more here

Nassau elections board might have results faster than normal

Waiting until after midnight for Nassau County election results may be a thing of the past if an experiment being attempted tonight by the Board of Elections is successful.

Election machines in Nassau County record votes onto two memory sticks, one for regular vote counting and one backup. Those sticks are then brought back to Mineola by Nassau County police or board of election inspectors from all corners of the county.

Tonight for the first time, after a polling site closes, the results of the backup memory stick will be transmitted to the Board of Elections.

“That first stick that gets pulled out is going to be brought to a completely separate iPad that is connected to a server at the board of elections,” Democratic Commissioner of the Nassau County Board of Elections James Scheuerman said Tuesday evening. The information on the sticks “will instantaneously be sent back to our server here. The hope is to cut down on the time it takes for our unofficial results.”

The regular count will proceed as it has in the past, Scheuerman said. Polls officially close at 9 p.m. but a person in line at 9 p.m. waiting to vote will still get to vote, he said. Once the sites close, the memory sticks are put into special bags and special locked bins containing the paper ballots that were accepted at each machine will be transported to the board of elections building and brought to a “hardened” room. There a bipartisan group of about 16 election workers will plug the memory sticks into the computers. This room is locked at 8 p.m., its windows are blacked out and computers inside are not connected to the internet, Scheuerman said.

The results from early voting and some mail-in ballots should be posted online around 9 p.m.

The results remain unofficial until the vote is certified, a process that can take several weeks.

To track who’s up or down, visit Newsday’s results page here.

In Elmont, voters scramble to assigned poll site in final stretch

Elmont Public Library was largely quiet by 7 p.m. on Election Day, when most of the few voters there said they had shown up at the wrong location and were scrambling to get to their assigned polling place in time to cast a ballot.

Voters who spoke with Newsday at the library were planning to vote along party lines.

Peter Robinson, 64, of Floral Park, votes every election and was in a hurry to leave the Elmont Library to reach his assigned polling place. He told Newsday there wasn’t a particular candidate or issue on this year’s ballot that grabbed his attention, but added "anything Democrat I’m for."

Justin John, 25, of Elmont, also had a mix-up with his assigned polling place and told Newsday there wasn’t any issue on this year’s ballot that motivated him to come out. A two-time Donald Trump voter, John said he planned to take the same approach as Robinson, but vote for Republicans up and down the ticket.

"It’s common practice," John told Newsday when asked why he came out. "My parents also emphasize voting."

Vincent McBean, 32, of Elmont, was in the correct polling place. He described himself as a "generally" consistent voter who cast a ballot for the Democratic presidential candidates in 2020 and 2024.

McBean said he recently moved to Elmont from Queens and wasn’t up to speed on all of the local ballot items, but believes "it’s always important to come out to vote." His plan this year was to cast his ballot for all of the Democratic candidates on the ticket.

Elmont resident Gianni Mentor, 23, told Newsday he planned to vote for "mostly just a bunch of Democrats," adding that he too wasn’t driven to show up by any particular ballot item this year.

Mentor explained that he decided to cast a ballot because, "everywhere you go, you’re always hearing that your vote matters, it’ll change many different things."

"I just want to make sure I have at least some sort of impact," Mentor said.

At Cuomo election night party, signs of optimism

Tonight's Cuomo campaign watch party is at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in Midtown Manhattan, a change in neighborhood and certainly in vibe from the vast Carpenters Union Hall that hosted the primary night defeat. That space had a raw, under construction feel to it.

The art deco ballroom, once home to the famed Ziegfeld Theater, hosted Argentine President Javier Milei at an award ceremony in September. Tonight it is decorated, optimistically, with campaign signs that say, "Cuomo Ready on Day One."

It has room for 1,200 guests but is now occupied by about 40 members of the  media.

Evening voters trickle into polls in Kings Park

Several people were seen trickling into William T. Rogers Middle School in Kings Park around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday evening, as turnout appeared to be small but steady in the evening hours.

Coming out of the voting station around 6:16 p.m., Amy Rocco, 55, of Kings Park, said no issue stood out specifically on the ballot this year. She said she was keeping her eye on the New York City mayoral race, even though she couldn’t vote in it.

"I’m kind of hoping it will be something new and hopeful," said Rocco, who had come to the polls with her son.

Rocco said participating in the voting process was important for her and her children. She said she voted for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in the previous presidential elections. 

"Nothing new ever really happens in Suffolk County, but at least I go out and make my voice heard," said Rocco, who votes every year. "This year, my vote doesn’t make much of a difference in a red county and town, but at least I go and I make sure at least that I say it."

For Sharon Rose, 75, of Kings Park, voting is a civic obligation as an American citizen.

"You have to vote. If you’re an American citizen and you’re a person, then you have to vote in our country no matter what," said Rose, a Republican who voted Republican in the last 2 election cycles. Rose added she has been taking her children to vote since they were young and makes sure her family all vote.

Her friend David Hobart, 51, of Kings Park, a Democrat, said he agreed with Rose about participating in the civic process despite the two being on opposite sides of the political spectrum.

“I feel like you shouldn’t talk about the politics unless you vote. You shouldn’t complain if you don’t participate in the process," said Hobart, who voted Democrat in the last two election cycles and said he is watching the race for Smithtown Town Supervisor closely this year.

NYC breaks 24-year record in number of voters coming out for mayoral race

With less than three hours remaining before polls close, Tuesday’s New York City mayoral race already drew the largest number of voters than any other since 2001, according to the New York City Board of Elections.

Still reeling from the terror attacks of Sept. 11, more than 1.5 million New Yorkers visited the polls for that mayoral contest, where Republican Michael Bloomberg defeated Democrat Mark Green.

Suffolk casts ballots on paper one final time

Voters in Suffolk County cast ballots on Tuesday for the final time by filling out paper ballots that are fed into a ballot scanning device called the Dominion ImageCast Precinct.

Starting next year, the county’s Board of Elections will transition to new touchscreen voting machines called ExpressVote XL made by Election Systems & Software. Suffolk lawmakers approved funding earlier this year for the BOE to acquire new machines. The BOE signed a sales order agreement with the company for $31.7 million in August.

The sales order agreement lists an estimated delivery date of Jan. 1 and a first election of June for a possible primary.

The board of elections tested the machines in March during a special election in Southampton Town.

Nearly 120,000 people in Nassau County cast ballots on Election Day

Nearly 120,000 voters have already cast their ballots throughout Nassau County as of around 4 p.m. on Election Day, according to the county Board of Elections. As with early voting, Republican voters outpaced Democrats at the ballot box Tuesday. In addition to nearly 48,000 Republicans and around 43,500 Democrats, 1,650 conservatives and nearly 2,900 independents registered in Nassau voted.

Nassau’s 19th District, where residents are choosing between incumbent Republican Legis. James Kennedy and Democrat challenger Lynn M. Russo drew the most voters thus far, according to the Nassau County Board of Elections. These 8,530 district voters were among the 28,628 Town of Oyster Bay residents who made their voices heard at the ballot box Tuesday. More than 68,000 residents of the Town of Hempstead, along with more than 17,000 Town of North Hempstead voters, nearly 3,400 City of Long Beach residents and nearly 2,400 residents of City of Glen Cove, cast their ballots.

Polls still open as campaigns shift into party mode

As poll sites enter the final stretch, campaigns across Long Island and New York City are getting ready for their election night parties. 

Members of the Suffolk County Republican Party will monitor results tonight at Stereo Garden in Patchogue. The venue opens to the public at 9 p.m.

A pair of mobile billboards were set up outside on Railroad Avenue just before 6 p.m. with three hours still to go before polls close. 

For the New York City mayoral race, some candidates are opening their doors a lot sooner, with Zohran Mamdani's campaign getting its party started at 7 p.m.

In Roosevelt, Long Islanders come out to make sure their voice is heard

There were no crowds or lines at Ulysses Byas School in Roosevelt by early Tuesday evening, but voters determined to have their voice heard continued slowly trickling in hours before the polls closed.

Seretta McKnight, 67, is a lifelong resident of Roosevelt. A consistent voter, she said she showed up on Tuesday night because “we need to have people in place who are going to represent our interests.”

“We are living in some dangerous, dangerous times,” said McKnight, who voted for Joe Biden in 2020 and Kamala Harris in 2024.

Gail Wright, also a Roosevelt resident who voted Democratic during the past two presidential elections, told Newsday “I just want to make sure my vote counts.”

“I’ve been voting since I was able to [at] 18,” she said. “Every vote counts, so I just want to make sure I come out every time.”

Juli Vonne Edme, a 19-year-old from Roosevelt, voted for the first time in 2024. That year, she cast her ballot for Harris.

She said that, while she didn’t keep up with all of the local races, she wanted to show up to vote because it’s her “civic duty.”

“I was keeping up with a lot of the New York City mayoral elections. I thought I should keep voting, especially because it was my first time voting last year and I thought maybe I should keep doing this,” she said. “It’s a good thing to do because it’s my civic duty and it’s a right that I should exploit all the time.”

Where's Cuomo?

Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s campaign told reporters that after he voted in the morning, he would be out on the trail the remainder of the day.

But Cuomo’s campaign has repeatedly declined to provide details of his whereabouts to Newsday through the course of Tuesday. Cuomo is running as an independent after losing to Zohran Mamdani in the June Democratic primary. 

Over 1.4 million voters had cast their ballot by 3 p.m., according to the New York City Board of Elections. The total includes those who voted early. The largest returns came from Brooklyn and Manhattan.

In Huntington Station, a voter zeroes in on national and local issues

Outside Birchwood Intermediate School on Wolf Hill Road in Huntington Station, few people were seen coming in and out of polls inside the school around mid-afternoon.

Coming out of the polling site, Paul Panza, of Huntington, said he has voted often, and he had voted for Trump the last two election cycles.

“Right now, I’m not too happy with him, but that’s who I voted for,” Panza said.

This year, Panza said what was most important to him was the condition of the roads in Huntington, since he was a cyclist. For that reason, the race he was watching closely was the highway superintendent race.

“It’s important for them to clean up the road so we can ride because there are very poor road conditions here,” Panza said.

Suffolk sees over 100,000 voters cast ballots on Election Day

By 3 p.m. on Election Day, 103,130 people have so far cast a ballot in Suffolk County, including 35,333 Democrats and 40,683 Republicans, data shows.

When looking at early and Election Day voting, 153,384 people in Suffolk have thus far marked a ballot, including 56,280 Democrats and 58,184 Republicans.

About 4,180 voted on another recognized party line, while roughly 34,735 didn’t include party information or made another entry, the preliminary data shows.

Elections officials: More than 140,000 LIers cast their ballots early

More than 140,000 Long Islanders cast their ballots early, according to county election officials.

Early voting was held from Oct. 25 through Sunday. According to voter data, about 91,250 people voted ahead of Election Day in Nassau County, including 34,338 Democrats and nearly 39,000 Republicans.

In Suffolk County, 50,254 people participated in the election early, including 20,952 Democrats and 17,499 Republicans, according to data from the county Board of Elections.

About 1,210 people voted on another recognized party line, while roughly 10,600 didn’t include party information or selected something else, the data shows. Sunday saw the highest early-voter turnout, with approximately 7,400 votes cast.

By about 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nassau elections officials said roughly 84,250 votes had been cast. Suffolk election officials said they would have an update on Tuesday's voting numbers later in the day.

According to county board of elections information, there are 2,103,098 active voters listed on Long Island.

NYC Board of Elections: Voter turnout surpasses 2021 total, hours before polls close

By noon Tuesday, turnout for the 2025 New York City mayoral election had already exceeded the total number of those who voted in 2021, the race that Eric Adams won.

According to the city Board of Elections, 1,195,062 people had voted in the general election before noon — including early voters between Oct. 25 and Nov. 2 — compared to the 2021 total of 1,149,172, which included early voters and those who voted on Election Day through 9 p.m., when the polls close.

The polls opened at 6 a.m. Tuesday.

Newsday reported Monday that a record-setting 735,317 voters had come out to cast early ballots this year — more than four times the number in 2021, according to the board.

The Democratic primary election that resulted in Zohran Mamdani as the party’s nominee also set records, with participation reaching the highest levels in more than a decade, according to a board report.

Police: No major issues at LI polling sites

Nassau and Suffolk police told Newsday that voting locations on Long Island have not seen any major incidents unfold at the ballot box, in contrast to New Jersey, where several polling sites had received threats.

Republican Jack Ciattarelli and Democrat U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill are vying for the governorship in New Jersey, where emailed threats regarding several polling sites were received Tuesday morning, prosecutors said in a statement. Several voting sites in New Jersey were back open to the public, while some voters were instructed to go to another site to submit their vote.

“Voters should continue to have confidence that they can cast their ballot without fear of intimidation, and we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure a free, fair and secure election,” New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said in the statement.

Gail Lolis, a deputy commissioner with the Suffolk County Board of Elections, said in an email that a polling location in Wainscott and another one in Riverhead had a late start because of “delayed access to the facility."

Lolis said voting wait times appeared to be minimal and there had not been any shortages of ballots or other voting supplies.

Nassau County elections board officials said there had no been significant issues at polling sites.

'On Long Island, it's always taxes': Voters bemoan high cost of living

Affordability was on the minds of many voters at the Riley Avenue Elementary School in Calverton around noon Tuesday.

“Taxes, taxes, taxes,” was a common refrain from nearly a dozen voters polled by Newsday at the school. Riverhead Town plans to pierce its tax cap again this year, which several residents said they were concerned about.

Christine Skidmore bemoaned the rising cost of living. She said that since moving to the area nearly 30 years ago, her property taxes have more than tripled.

“On Long Island, it’s always taxes,” Skidmore, 58, said. High town taxes impact affordability for both young people and retirees, she said.

A large share of the town tax bill is allocated toward local schools, and Skidmore said she supports education but hopes town lawmakers find ways to spare taxpayers from rising costs.

“We have no mortgage, and we’re still paying and paying and paying,” she said.

Harold Lindstrom agreed.

“We’re on a fixed income, and taxes keep going up,” Lindstrom, 76, said, adding that high taxes are compounded by other rising costs, like groceries.

Many voters over 60 also said they worried about affordability for younger generations.

“The tax rate and the cost of living on Long Island, it’s extraordinarily high and young people cannot afford to live here the way us older folks have been able to. And that’s a shame, because Long Island is a great place,” said Judith Jedlicka.

Jedlicka, who said she is in her 80s, said voting is a responsibility to ensure a bright future.

“We’re going to lose young people to other parts of the country, and that’s brainpower we’re losing,” she said.

Trump: Any Jewish voter who supports Mamdani is a 'stupid person'

President Donald Trump, who a day earlier endorsed Andrew Cuomo for New York City mayor, on Tuesday posted that any Jewish voter who casts a ballot for Zohran Mamdani “is a stupid person!!!"

Trump wrote on his Truth Social network: "Any Jewish person that votes for Zohran Mamdani, a proven and self professed JEW HATER, is a stupid person!!!”

The president's latest post comes as New York City voters are going to the polls to choose between Mamdani, the front-runner in the race and the Democratic nominee; Cuomo, a third-party candidate and the state’s ex-governor; and Curtis Sliwa, the Republican nominee and founder of the Guardian Angels crime patrol.

Dora Pekec, a Mamdani spokeswoman, didn’t immediately respond to a text message seeking comment about Trump’s latest post.

Mamdani, a longtime supporter of the Palestinian cause and critic of Israel, has rejected claims that his beliefs are akin to antisemitism and said that as mayor he would protect all New Yorkers, including Jewish New Yorkers, whom he’s been meeting with over the past year.

“I have really appreciated those conversations that I’ve had with rabbis, with Jewish leaders, elected officials across the five boroughs,” Mamdani told ABC News last week. “And those are conversations that have not only informed my understanding of what it means to root out antisemitism across the city, which we must do, but also the many different ways that we have to do it.”

Nassau County executive candidate Seth Koslow votes in Merrick, as voters cite national concerns

Nassau County executive candidate Seth Koslow cast his ballot Tuesday at the Community Presbyterian Church in Merrick.

Koslow, a Democratic county legislator, was joined by his wife and three children. After voting, he told reporters he was feeling positive about his campaign against incumbent Bruce Blakeman.

Koslow said he put the time in and "as a coach, that's what I expect from my players and that's what I did here, my team really worked hard."

Merrick residents Paulette Mendelson and her neighbor Jerilyn Weil both cited concerns over the state of the country as factors in voting.

"As a Jew, I'm terrified of not only what's going on in the world, but in the country," Mendelson said.

 Weil said the country feels more like a monarchy than a democracy.

"The most democratic thing I can do is vote," she said. "And as women ... our ancestors, our predecessors, fought for the right to vote, so it's very very important to me to exercise my political right to vote."

As for local politics, Weil said, "I don't have any strong feeling for a change in the state of Nassau County right now." She said the current administration has shown support for issues important to her, such as protecting Jewish people.

Both women identified as senior citizens but declined to give their ages.

In Suffolk, keeping an eye on the NYC mayoral race

A steady stream of voters cast ballots between 8 and 10 a.m. at the Manorville firehouse Tuesday. No long lines or machine issues were observed.

Sheryl Walz, a retired English teacher who lives in Calverton, said she never misses an election.

“People died for this right,” said Walz, 64.

A retired teacher, Walz said she is concerned about development and the rising cost of living that’s pushing a generation of young adults, including her own son, off Long Island for greener, more affordable pastures.

Like many in the Long Island suburbs, Walz said she is watching the race for New York City mayor.

“That’s going to change the quality of life out here and upstate too,” said Walz, who said she has heard of city residents looking to relocate if mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani wins. "Who knows if it’s legit or not, but at the same time, COVID changed the quality of life out here.”

Safe neighborhoods was also a key issue for some residents.

“I think our neighborhood and community is really good. Safety is always a concern,” said Karen Boyce, of Manorville. “You want to make sure you can be safe, so you get out and you vote.”

Blakeman casts his ballot, as voters talk taxes, policing

Law enforcement, taxes and a general dissatisfaction with state leaders were among the issues motivating voters in Atlantic Beach on Tuesday morning.

Robert Mandell, 40, said he believes it is his civic duty to vote as he helped get his toddler daughter into his car outside Village Hall.

"I feel very strongly that it's my civic duty and responsibility to participate in any and all elections that I'm available to," he said, adding he wanted to make sure the community was getting the "best representation" when it comes to issues like taxes.

Neal Ezra, 65, said he votes every election. His top priority this year was policing, he said, noting he supports law enforcement.

"Low taxes would be nice but I don't think that's coming from anybody," he said.

Carolyn Orena, meanwhile, almost lost her chance to cast her ballot. Orena said she was on her way to Connecticut when she realized she forgot to vote. Despite the extra charge to her EZ-Pass account, she said it was important enough for her to turn around.

Orena said she votes Republican and is concerned about the direction New York is going. She said she supports the current Nassau County administration.

"I wanted to make sure I voted and to get my opinions across," she said.

The three voters were joined Tuesday morning by Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman.

Just before 10 a.m., Blakeman, who is running for re-election against Democrat Seth Koslow, strode into Village Hall after being greeted warmly by voters. He cast his ballot, said he felt like a winner and insisted on getting the popular, but elusive "I voted" sticker.

Outside, he addressed reporters, telling them he felt confident but would be campaigning until polls close at 9 p.m.

Trump endorses Cuomo for NYC mayor

Mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo got an 11th-hour endorsement Monday from a Queens native, President Donald Trump, who posted that "you really have no choice" but to vote for Cuomo.

"I would much rather see a Democrat, who has had a Record of Success, WIN, than a Communist with no experience and a Record of COMPLETE AND TOTAL FAILURE," Trump posted on his Truth Social network, adding: "Whether you personally like Andrew Cuomo or not, you really have no choice. You must vote for him, and hope he does a fantastic job. He is capable of it, Mamdani is not!"

Cuomo — a lifelong Democrat who is running as an independent after losing the primary to Zohran Mamdani — told Trump supporter and WABC radio owner John Catsimatidis that he welcomed the news.

“Now it’s going to be up to the Republicans, and I hope they listen to the president,” Cuomo said.

As recently as last month, Cuomo had said he would reject Trump's support. Trump has called Mamdani a “down and dirty” communist and threatened to withhold federal dollars to New York City if Mamdani is elected.

Mamdani, speaking Tuesday morning as he checked in to vote in Astoria, told Newsday: "If they want to vote for a candidate endorsed by Donald Trump, Elon Musk and Stephen Miller, then by all means they should vote for Andrew Cuomo. If they want to vote for a candidate that will actually stand up to that agenda and deliver on an affordability agenda, then they should vote for me."

Mamdani has said if elected he’d use the bully pulpit and sue in an attempt to keep Trump from following through on his threats to withhold federal money.

“There are many things that he will say and that he will do that will not actually bear out in the results within our own city. I will treat his threats as they deserve to be treated, which are the words of a president and not necessarily the law of the land,” Mamdani said.

'Not the America I knew and loved': Voters sound off in Manorville

Despite it being a year with few Town of Brookhaven races, several voters in Manorville on Tuesday morning told Newsday they felt it was important to make their voices heard.

Some said they were voting with the future in mind.

“I want my grandchildren to be safe, I want them to be in a good place,” said Gina Disney, 70, of Manorville. “I just want them to grow up in the same kind of democracy I grew up in.”

Dissatisfaction with the current political climate also emerged as a theme with voters.

Gerald Hirsch, 77, of Manorville, said he’s always tried to perform his civic duty — even during “off” years. He said he is disappointed at the tone of politics: “It’s like if I’m a Republican and you’re a Democrat, you’re the enemy.”

The Trump administration's immigration crackdown and recent cuts to federal food aid were another issue on Hirsch’s mind.

“It’s gotten so ridiculous, it’s like it’s not America anymore," he said. "It’s not the America I knew and loved. And all you can do is vote.”

Mamdani votes in NYC election

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani cast his ballot in Queens around 8 a.m. Tuesday. He was joined by his wife, Rama Duwaji.

Supporters of Mamdani arrived around 6:30 a.m. to his poll site, the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Astoria, to watch him walk in to vote. A group of South Asian men — a demographic Mamdani inspires and draws outsize support from — stood together in the fall chill and surrounded him to pray once he and his wife came to the site.

Aftab Mannan, 62, of Jamaica, Queens, who has volunteered with the campaign for the last six months, told Newsday that Mamdani had electrified the electorate. “He comes from a community, the entire community, love him, the way he stands for justice and equality. He became the model of the youth,” Mannan said.

Duwaji’s change-of-address details didn’t make it into the Board of Election system in time, so she had to vote by affidavit ballot, a poll worker told her.

What big races are being decided beyond Long Island?

This year voters in New York City are deciding who will occupy Gracie Mansion as its mayor, with Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, independent candidate and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa vying for the top spot. Mayor Eric Adams, who was also on the ballot, announced last month that he will not be seeking re-election.

The race is among several across the tristate area that have drawn the attention of voters. Another notable race is that for New Jersey governor, where Republican nominee Jack Ciattarelli squares off against Democrat Rep. Mikie Sherrill. Incumbent Gov. Phil Murphy is term-limited. The contest is being viewed as a test of Republican President Donald Trump’s popularity among voters.

Polls are open in New York City until 9 p.m. and in New Jersey until 8 p.m.

Not sure who to vote for? Check out Newsday's voters guide.

If you’re still not clear who you want to vote for today, Newsday has you covered, with its yearly voters guide. We outline every race on the ballot across Long Island, which include contests for Nassau County executive, Nassau district attorney, Hempstead town supervisor and more.

There is a ballot question being presented to voters on Suffolk County asking them if they’d like to extend the length of a term for those serving in the legislature.

There are also races for town supervisors, judgeships, town council seats and more across the Island.

Check out the searchable voters guide here.

Polls officially open across Long Island for Election Day

Polls are now open across Long Island as voters are set to cast ballots for Nassau County executive and district attorney, Nassau and Suffolk County legislators and a host of town races.

The nine-day early voting period ended Sunday and voters will now cast ballots at their designated polling site. To find your polling site, visit voterlookup.elections.ny.gov.

All absentee and early mail ballots must be postmarked no later than Nov. 4 and be received by the county Board of Elections no later than Nov. 12. Absentee and early mail ballots can also be delivered in person to a poll site before polls close at 9 p.m. Tuesday.

Voters will also cast ballots on a statewide proposition to allow skiing and trail facilities on state forest preserve land in Adirondack Park. Suffolk voters will also decide whether to extend the length of term of legislators from two to four years.

Anyone experiencing issues voting can reach out to an Election Protection Hotline set up by the Office of the New York State Attorney General. The hotline is available at 866-390-2992 or online at electionhotline.ag.ny.gov.

To get up to speed with who are this year's candidates and ballot questions, go to Newsday's voters guide. 

Government buildings and public schools across the Island are closed on Election Day.