New City, NY – Rockland County residents are preparing to vote in the November 3 general election following a substantial increase in early voting participation compared with the 2022 midterm election. Voters will decide several federal, state and local races, along with ballot proposals affecting county government and the Town of Orangetown.
Early voting concluded Sunday, November 1, after a nine-day period that began October 24. According to statewide turnout figures reported Monday, approximately 1.97 million New Yorkers voted early, compared with approximately 1.18 million during the 2022 midterm election. That represents an increase of nearly 70 percent.
Rockland County experienced an even larger increase, with early voting participation reportedly rising 81 percent compared with the same election cycle four years earlier.
The increase reflects a greater number of ballots cast before Election Day, although early voting figures do not establish which candidates or political parties will benefit. Final turnout will also include ballots cast on Election Day and eligible mail ballots.
Rockland County operated seven early voting centers in New City, Nanuet, Orangeburg, Suffern, Stony Point, Pomona and Garnerville. Registered voters were permitted to use any of those locations during the early voting period.
On Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, polling places will be open from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. Residents voting in person must report to their assigned polling location.
One of the major races on the ballot is New York’s 17th Congressional District, where Republican incumbent Mike Lawler faces Democratic challenger Cait Conley. The district includes all of Rockland County and portions of neighboring counties.
In the 38th State Senate District, Republican incumbent Bill Weber faces Democratic challenger Joe Rand, who currently serves as mayor of Nyack.
Other state legislative races include the 96th Assembly District, where Democratic incumbent Patrick Carroll faces Republican Brett Yagel, and the 97th Assembly District, where Democratic incumbent Aron Wieder faces Republican Rob Bonomolo and Conservative Party candidate Abraham Klein.
The statewide ballot includes the governor’s race between Democratic incumbent Kathy Hochul and Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman.
Voters will also select candidates for state attorney general and comptroller. Democratic incumbent Letitia James faces Republican Saritha Komatireddy in the attorney general’s race, while Democratic incumbent Thomas DiNapoli faces Republican Joseph Hernandez for comptroller.
Local elections vary by municipality. In Clarkstown, voters will choose between Republican incumbent Supervisor George Hoehmann and Democratic challenger Eugene Bondar. Additional contests involve town council seats and other local offices.
Beyond candidate elections, Rockland residents will consider a proposed amendment to the county charter. The proposal would modify certain procedures governing county executive appointments and legislative review of contracts.
Under the proposed changes, certain appointments would require affirmative legislative approval. The measure would also revise the review process for some county contracts valued between $100,000 and $250,000.
Orangetown voters will consider a separate proposal concerning the establishment of a community preservation fund. If approved, the measure would authorize a real estate transfer tax of 0.3 percent, subject to applicable conditions and exemptions, to support the preservation program.
Election officials remind residents that individuals who voted early cannot cast an additional ballot on Election Day.
Voters returning early-mail or absentee ballots may deliver them to the Rockland County Board of Elections or an authorized polling location by 9 p.m. November 3. Ballots returned by mail must meet the state’s postmark and receipt deadlines.
The Rockland County Board of Elections maintains voter registration information, polling location assignments and sample ballots through its official website: https://www.rocklandcountyny.gov/departments/board-of-elections
Residents seeking assistance may contact the Board of Elections at 845-638-5172 or visit its office at 11 New Hempstead Road in New City.
Election night results will begin becoming available after polls close Tuesday. Those initial totals will be unofficial until the required ballot counting and certification procedures are completed.