No, it's not an 'off year'

If you weren’t an early bird — early voting ended Sunday — or sought an absentee ballot, the last chance to vote in Long Island’s local elections and one statewide proposition is the old-fashioned way — in person on Election Day.

It won’t take too long. Out of 12 judgeship elections in Nassau as well as Suffolk, 11 are uncontested races with cross-endorsed candidates. In Suffolk, important positions such as county district attorney, sheriff, Southold and East Hampton supervisors, and Babylon Town Council are uncontested. That’s a shame and a detriment to democracy. 

This Election Day, people are best off pushing aside the popular cliche that 2025 is an "off year." Local elections are on the ballot across Long Island and those elected will be responsible for directly delivering local services and managing the infrastructure, future plans and character of hundreds of distinct jurisdictions.

In Nassau County, during the early voting period this year, 91,243 people took part. Of these, 34,338 were registered Democrats, 39,068 Republicans and 14,739 unaffiliated.  Contrast that with Suffolk County where during the early balloting period only 50,254 residents went to vote. These included 20,952 Democratic voters and 17,499 Republicans. 

All over LI, this election's choices do not offer a global stage show, but an important and tangible chance for people to collectively change, or not change, their representatives. Polls, as always, are open Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Vote if you haven't already.

See more of our thoughts about this year's election and all of our choices in county and town races below.

Endorsements are determined solely by the Newsday editorial board, a team of opinion journalists focused on issues of public policy and governance. Newsday’s news division has no role in this process.