Election Day 2026: Riverhead voters cast their ballots as 9 p.m. deadline looms
Riverhead voters headed to the polls Tuesday to choose their next town supervisor and representatives in Albany and Washington, with voting continuing until 9 p.m.
Supervisor Jerry Halpin is seeking a full, two-year term against Republican Councilman Ken Rothwell. Mr. Halpin is running on the Democratic and Taxpayers First lines.
Mark Lembo, 76, of Wading River, was among those waiting on line to cast a ballot at St. John the Baptist Church in Wading River.
For him, “corruption and the economy” were on his mind when thinking about his candidate choices. He said it was his first time using the county’s new touchscreen voting system.
“I don’t like it, not good with the machines, paper ballots are fine for me,” he said.
Gianna Mango, 22, of Wading River, had a different experience. She said she had no trouble using the machines.
“It wasn’t hard or anything, it was very easy, simple and straightforward,” Ms. Mango said.
The ExpressVote XL machines, introduced during the June Democratic primary, still use paper ballots. Voters select candidates on a touchscreen, review their printed choices and cast the ballot using the same machine.
For Jay Touchet, 57, of Wading River, one word was at the top of his mind as he headed into the voting booth: kindness.
“I’m looking for people that are a little bit open to kindness and humanity,” Mr. Touchet said. “You can be stuck on issues like taxes, but I think people forget peace of mind…money doesn’t solve everything, but peace of mind solves an awful lot.”
Over at Riverhead Free Library, poll workers said there had been a steady stream of voters coming in since they opened at 6 a.m. Outside the voting site, John McAuliff of Roanoke Landing set up a table 100 feet from the library entrance to inform people about Abigail Field, the write-in candidate running for Suffolk County Clerk.
Ms. Field, a Cutchogue attorney, is mounting a Democratic-backed challenge to Republican incumbent Vincent Puleo. Her name does not appear on the printed ballot.
Other 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.
That latter 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 faces Democrat Chris Murray in the 1st Senate District. In Riverhead’s 2nd Assembly District, Republican Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio is challenged by Democrat Michael Szika and independent Kimberly Wilder, who is running on the Voter Options line.
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. State Supreme Court, County Court and Family Court judges are also on the ballot. Our Riverhead 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 your registration and polling place through the state’s voter lookup. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Millions of voters cast their ballots during the early voting period, which ended Sunday.
Check back tonight for our live election blog, with results and updates from our reporters attending watch parties across Suffolk County.
