Community Corner
Lou Imbroto on the Importance of Voting in Off Years
Next Tuesday, Nov. 5, Long Islanders will have the opportunity to make their voices heard in local elections throughout Nassau County.
All of the dialogue which takes place all year long, all of the issues that we wish to have addressed, all of our planning and complaining and wishing for change, all comes down to next Tuesday. While the choices may not be perfect, voting in local elections is the most concrete and tangible way that you can have an impact on shaping Long Island’s near- and long-term future.
In 2013, there will be no presidential or gubernatorial race on the ballot, making it an “off-off” year election. In such off years, turnout tends to be extremely low.
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However, these local elections which see such low turnout have the biggest impact on the issues which affect our day-to-day lives. The county executive, county Legislature, the district attorneys, town supervisors and many town council positions, among others, will be up for re-election, giving residents a chance to weigh-in on the direction of their community.
Together, these positions will impact virtually every area of Long Islanders’ day to day lives. The county oversees our assessment system, our police department, much of our infrastructure and our county parks, while towns and villages control the planning and zoning which affect the character of our communities and our quality of life. All have an enormous impact on our property taxes, which in turn affect the affordability of homes and apartments on Long Island, as well as on development and the general business environment.
Find out what's happening in Plainviewwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
More so than any federal or state election, these local elections will determine our ability to live and work in Nassau county. These elections will impact the safety of our communities, the density of our neighborhoods and the quality of our roads and bridges.
This year, every citizen should make it a priority to familiarize him or herself with the issues and candidates in this election and to make it to the polls on November 5th to vote.
