Ok, if you are anything like me — filled with existential dread, paralyzed by fear and blessed with a predilection for procrastination — you have probably waited to the last minute to vote in what we have been assured is the most important election of our lifetime.
Fortunately, we are here with your last-minute Rockland County voting guide. Let’s get to it.
Voting Information
Early voting lasted a little more than a week, from Saturday, October 26, to Sunday, November 3. Anecdotally, I heard it was a pretty steady stream of voters, but not insane lines.
If you didn’t make it to early voting, it’s all good. There is still the last minute — and it actually lasts all day long.
General Election Day is officially Tuesday, November 5.
Polls will be open from 6 am to 9 pm on election day. Go to your regular poll site to cast your ballot for both local and national offices.
If you don’t know your regular poll site, click here.
You can still pick up a mail-in absentee ballot if you go to the Board of Elections by Monday, November 4. Regardless, any mail-in or absentee ballots must be postmarked by November 5 or dropped off at polling sites before the 9 pm deadline.
Here’s the Rockland County Board of Elections address and contact information, just in case:
Board of Elections in County of Rockland
11 New Hempstead Rd
New City, NY 10956
845-638-5172
845-638-5196 (Fax)
voterinfo@co.rockland.ny.us
Kathleen M. Pietanza
Democratic Commissioner
Patricia A. Giblin
Republican Commissioner
The Candidates
These are all of the candidates running for office in Rockland County:
Last Minute Cramming
Here are a few stories and links about local races:
The 38th District senate race, which encompasses most of Rockland County, is a rubber match between incumbent Republican Bill Weber, an accountant, and challenger Elijah Reichlin-Melnick, a former teacher and Nyack village trustee, who defeated Weber for the seat back in 2020, but lost to him in 2022. Both matchups were decided by razor thin margins and it probably will come down to the wire again this year. Check out lohud’s story for all the gritty, historic details.
The most intensely watched local race with national implications is the battle for New York’s 17th Congressional District between Republican incumbent Mike Lawler and Democratic challenger (and also former 17th Congressional District representative — it’s complicated) Mondaire Jones.
Both are Rockland natives. Both are running multi-million-dollar campaigns funded by national organizations and party heavy hitters. Both are dealing with bizarre in-fighting amongst their own county party institutions.
As of Sunday night, polls were showing Lawler as a slight favorite.
If you still haven’t decided, watch the tape! Jones and Lawler participated in two extensive debates, which you can watch below:
Other stuff to keep in mind:
- Don’t forget to weigh in on Prop 1, the state initiative that would add reproductive and LGBTQ rights to the list of protected groups in the state’s constitution.
- Please check out Chris McKenna’s coverage at lohud. He’s doing work this fall!
- Here’s where you will find the actual results on Election Night.
- We’ll be back with an update on Tuesday night. Until then, get out and vote!
