House, NY Senate primaries a chance to weigh in on many issues

Reminder: Another primary election is approaching on Aug. 23. And early voting for those races starts Saturday, Aug. 13.

On the ballot this time around are intraparty contests for State Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives.

Yes, there has been a lot of electoral confusion and there are several election days this year in New York. That’s because the constitutionally mandated redrawing of district lines after the once-a-decade census didn’t go smoothly. There were multiple lawsuits in state and federal courts on whether the redistricting process was done properly and fairly. In the end, the state's highest court upheld a ruling that the State Senate and House districts had to be remapped. The extra time needed to do so resulted in the bifurcated primary. So New York primary voters went to the polls in June to pick candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, and Assembly races. The primary contests for the House and State Senate got delayed — until now.

So it pays to visit voterlookup.elections.ny.gov to check your district, since the lines have changed considerably. And if you are enrolled in a political party, check to see whether you have a primary race for Senate or Congress. Many Long Islanders will.

Those races are consequential, particularly the ones on the federal level. Three of Long Island’s four representatives in Congress — Lee Zeldin, Tom Suozzi and Kathleen Rice — are departing their roles this year, meaning there will be open races to replace them in November. 

The outcome could decide which party controls the House. Some of those districts have very competitive primaries. The lone incumbent congressman seeking reelection on Long Island — Rep. Andrew Garbarino — faces a feisty Republican primary challenge from Robert Cornicelli and Mike Rakebrandt. 

That contest and some of the others provide voters with significantly divergent choices about which ideologies and party wings they want to lift up.

During the Aug. 13-21 early voting period, those registered in a party can go to any of the early voting sites in their county. Full lists and hours are on the websites for the Nassau and Suffolk election boards. 

On Aug. 23 itself, you have to show up at your assigned polling place, and that information can be found at voterlookup.elections.ny.gov.

Keep in mind that due to a rule change, voters who are issued an absentee ballot can’t go to the polls and vote on machines. However, voters would still be able to cast an in-person ballot that will be held aside until it can be determined that the absentee ballot wasn't used.

Make the time to vote. So many issues in Congress from Ukraine to tax policy to the regulation of social media will be determined by those who win seats this fall. Have your say now about who will be on the ballot.