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.