Absentee ballots could decide S.D. 6 results

Town of Hempstead Councilman Dennis Dunne maintained a slight lead over incumbent State Sen. Kevin Thomas in the race for the 6th Senate District on Monday, as more than 28,000 absentee ballots had yet to be counted.

Unofficial results from the Nassau County Board of Elections show Dunne, a Republican from Levittown, with 52.9 percent of the vote, and Thomas, a Democrat from Levittown, with 46.5 percent of the vote. Libertarian candidate Jonathan Gunther, also of Levittown, earned 0.5 percent, and there were 32 write-in candidates.

But the Board of Elections cannot start counting the absentee ballots until Nov. 12 under New York State law. Of the more than 28,000 ballots, 13,700 came from registered Democrats, and 7,400 came from registered Republicans.

“I won my seat in 2018 by some of the closest margins in all of New York State,” Thomas posted on Facebook on Nov. 4. “I knew I would be in another tough fight this year. I remain optimistic and confident in the democratic process.”

Dunne could not be reached for comment as of press time.

The 6th Senate District encompasses East Meadow and Lakeview, and parts of Wantagh, North Bellmore and Franklin Square.