Election Day 2026: Voters stream in to North Fork polling places as 9 p.m. deadline looms
North Fork voters headed to the polls Tuesday to choose their representatives in Albany and Washington, with voting continuing until 9 p.m.
At 10:30 a.m., a steady stream of voters walked through the doors of Mattituck High School to cast their ballots. Among them was Stephanie Arpaia, who took note of the new touchscreen voting machines.
“It was totally high-tech and different this year,” she said, describing the process as “very quick and easy — really easy to follow.”
The ExpressVote XL system, introduced during the June Democratic primary, lets voters select candidates on a touchscreen, review a printed ballot and cast it using the same machine.
For Ms. Arpaia, the treatment of immigrants was among the issues shaping her vote.
“I feel really strongly about treating immigrants as human beings,” she said. “I want people in elected positions who can support human beings and make sure their needs are met.”
At Peconic Recreation Center, only a couple of voters were entering the polling place, though volunteers inside said there had been a long line earlier that morning.
Other polling locations available included but were not limited to, Cutchogue East Elementary School, East Marion Fireman’s Hall, Greenport Fire Department, Southold Jr./Sr. High Schools, American Legion Post, George Young Community Center, St. John The Baptist Church and Riverhead Free Library.
Key races on the ballot include the battle for governor between Democratic incumbent Kathy Hochul and Republican Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, and Republican Rep. Nick LaLota against Democrat Chris Gallant in the 1st Congressional District.
Their contest is part of the national fight for control of the House. Republicans hold 218 seats, Democrats 214, with one independent and two vacancies, according to the House’s official party breakdown. All 435 seats are up for election, with 218 needed to secure a majority in the next Congress.
Closer to home, Republican state Sen. Anthony Palumbo is challenged by Democrat Chris Murray in the 1st Senate District.
Southold voters will choose between Democratic Assemblyman Tommy John Schiavoni and Republican Stephen Kiely in the 1st Assembly District.
Democrats control both chambers in Albany, holding a 103-47 Assembly majority and a 40-22 Senate majority, with one Senate vacancy, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. All 150 Assembly seats and 63 Senate seats are on the ballot.
Statewide, Democratic state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli is challenged by Republican Joseph Hernandez, while Democratic Attorney General Letitia James faces Republican Saritha Komatireddy.
Democrat Jon Estreich and Republican Dan Losquadro are running for Suffolk County comptroller. Republican Suffolk County Clerk Vincent Puleo faces a Democratic-backed write-in challenge from Cutchogue attorney Abigail Field, whose name does not appear on the printed ballot.
State Supreme Court, County Court and Family Court judges are also on the ballot. Our North Fork voter guide has more on the candidates and their priorities.
Voters must use their assigned Election Day polling place, which may differ from their early voting location. Check yours through the state’s voter lookup. Polls close at 9 p.m.
Millions of votes have already been cast through early voting, which ended Sunday,
Check back tonight for our live election blog, with results and updates from our reporters attending watch parties across Suffolk County.
