In a historic show of civic engagement, Long Islanders turned out in droves for the first day of early voting in this year’s general election, with Glen Cove City Hall witnessing long lines and over an hour’s wait for eager voters.
By 9:30 a.m. last Saturday, more than 100 people had queued outside the hall. This year’s turnout of more than 29,000 Nassau County residents on the first day of early voting is a substantial increase over 2020, with over 12,000 registered Democrats and more than 10,000 Republicans casting votes.
While New York was a relatively late adopter of early voting, the policy’s impact on voter turnout has been profound. According to Vote Early New York, voter participation surged nearly 45 percent statewide in 2019 over the election in 2015. Now, early voting is available in 47 states and U.S. territories, with some states even conducting all-mail elections.
For Glen Cove resident Fred Nielsen, early voting was an opportunity to fulfill what he sees as a civic responsibility, and a chance to “get the election resolved and in the books.” He emphasized the importance of electing officials who genuinely respect the Constitution and are of strong character. Nielsen’s conviction extends to what he hoped would be a more robust focus on civic education, especially for younger generations, encouraging them to engage with the democratic process without necessarily adopting their parents’ political leanings.
“Politics is important,” he said. “It might be messy, but people fought for this freedom, and we should absolutely exercise it.”
Andrew Binder, another early voter and a Democrat, shared a similar motivation but a different set of priorities. After two previous attempts to cast his ballot early, he finally succeeded on Monday, joining the swelling crowd at Glen Cove City Hall. For Binder, this year’s Democratic platform resonated deeply. “I feel the candidates this year are answering the questions that matter to me,” he said, noting his appreciation for the current economic outlook and job growth.
Binder, who typically votes Democrat but has previously crossed party lines, voiced frustration over the polarization in recent years. “I like the way Democrats are speaking to the people this year,” he said. “I don’t like the anger and hatred (from Republicans). I want the country to go back to how it was when I grew up, where everyone just loved our country.”
Not everyone who lined up felt reassured by the current tone of political discourse. Brian Pemberton, a Republican, pointed to what he described as increasingly hostile rhetoric from the left, which he feels misrepresents conservative values.
“I would hope that local leaders would stand up and remind people that we’re neighbors,” Pemberton told the Herald. “We’re friends, and this kind of divisive talk only makes it harder to find common ground.” He highlighted key issues like unchecked immigration and inflation, which he believes are urgent concerns that demand immediate action from government leaders. He said he hoped that economic relief, particularly in the form of lower fuel prices, will be a priority for the next administration.
Pemberton was encouraging his friends to vote early, emphasizing that unforeseen events could prevent people from getting to the polls on Election Day. “Anything can happen,” he said. “Get the vote in early. I definitely trust the system here in Nassau County.”
For some, however, early voting marked a departure from long-held tradition. Barbara Peebles, a former Glen Cove city councilwoman and a lifelong Republican, was candid about her preference for casting her ballot on Election Day. Despite her nostalgia for Election Days of the past, however, Peebles said she was considering voting early this year because of the campaign’s momentum and a renewed focus on encouraging civic participation.
“If early voting means more people are going to be engaged, then I’m all for it,” she said.
Peebles’s primary concerns this election center on national security and border issues, which she describes as “the most frightening situation” facing the country. For her, immigration reform and a focus on rebuilding national defense and infrastructure are essential, as is restoring civility and unity across party lines.
While opinions on key issues and the best path forward differed widely among early voters, many agreed on the value of early voting as a safeguard against last-minute challenges. Illness, potential bad weather and family emergencies are all reasons that voters across party lines are shifting toward early balloting, and Nassau County’s turnout numbers reflect this growing trend.
