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Yearly Archives: 2025

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Photo courtesy Mastic Beach Fire Department

A message from Suffolk County Legislator Steve Englebright:

At approximately 2 a.m. on June 4, a fire broke out at the Crown Recycling Facility in Calverton. Thirty-five fire departments across Suffolk County acted swiftly and were able to contain the fire after more than nine hours.  

These efforts are a testament to their rapid response and unwavering commitment to protecting lives, property and the surrounding community. Thank you to the Suffolk County fire departments, emergency medical services and all supporting agencies for their rapid response, professionalism and dedication.  

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A picture of the property Tsunis proposed to be annexed. The upper gray portion indicates the Incorporated Village of Port Jefferson. File photo.

By Sabrina Artusa

The property owned by Northwind Group will remain under Brookhaven jurisdiction. The Village of Port Jefferson Board of Trustees and the Brookhaven Town Board voted against the annexation proposed by the developer. 

Developer Jim Tsunis and his son Demetrius petitioned for Brookhaven to annex the property to the Village of Port Jefferson, which would enable him to develop a 48-unit apartment complex. After Brookhaven rejected the zoning change that would authorize the project, Tsunis initiated the annexation request. 

In March, Tsunis, his son and his attorney addressed both the Town of Brookhaven and the Village of Port Jefferson in a joint hearing, where he and his attorney Michael Towey argued that the annexation would prevent the village from being impacted by any future development decisions the town would make. His 5.6-acre property off Baylis Avenue and Sheep Pasture Road is only accessible through the village.

The elder Tsunis addressed the board one final time on May 28 at a trustee meeting, prior to their vote. He urged the board to vote in support of the annexation. 

Brookhaven voted against the petition on May 22. The resolution findings state that the property and village lack “requisite unity of purpose and facilities to constitute a community.” This conclusion rests on the feedback from civic groups, concerns from the Terryville Fire Department and the disunity annexation would create for children who would live in the Village of Port Jefferson but attend Comsewogue School District. 

Further, the analysis states that “constructing additional residential dwelling units immediately adjacent to an active rail yard, where trains idle even when they are not moving, is not in the overall public interest.” The Baylis property sits next to the Lawrence Aviation site, where a new rail yard is set to be built, pending the MTA’s completion of purchase. 

“A vote against this annexation will burden the residents of the Sheep Pasture Road with the future of industrial buildings, trucks and traffic,” Tsunis said. “Don’t yield to the political pressure of the town of Brookhaven.” 

Other residents reiterated opposing arguments, warning the board that a yes vote would set a “dangerous precedent” of “municipality-shopping” when a proposal is rejected. Kathleen McClane, a member of the Port Jefferson Civic Association, said Tsunis is “presenting a false choice” in implying the land will be used for industrial purposes if the annexation does not take place. 

Tsunis has said that his motivation for the annexation is unrelated to Brookhaven’s rejection and solely for the best interest of the village where he resides. 

At the public hearing in March, Tsunis received over 50 letters of support. Supporters had mentioned that additional housing will help revitalize the community.

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Huntington Lady Blue Devils Celebration. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Jenna Italiano (left) and Addison Scott fight for ground ball. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Valentina Puccio is defended by Ward Melville’s Aliya Leonard. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Jolie Weinschreider. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Maeve McKay tries to evade Grace Gordon of Huntington. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Sydney Millett controls ball in her circle. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Aliya Leonard takes a shot on goal. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Jenna Italiano (left) and Jolie Weinschreider celebrate after Italiano’s winning goal in overtime. Photo by Steve Zaitz

By  Steven Zaitz

The hunt for a title is over. Huntington Union Free School District senior Jenna Italiano capped off a thrilling 8-7 sudden-death overtime win for the girls lacrosse team, defeating the defending champion Ward Melville High School Patriots. The win on May 31 gave the Lady Blue Devils their first Suffolk County crown in 30 years.

In a back-and-forth game under extremely windy conditions, Ward Melville raced out to a 3-1 lead when they scored a trio of goals in a 92-second span in the middle of the first quarter. But Huntington senior midfielder, and Italiano’s teammate on the Blue Devils basketball team, Sabrina Boyle beat the shot clock for a goal to close out the quarter and tighten the score at 3-2. Boyle cut from the far-right sideline across the field, ducked and spun away from multiple Patriots defenders and put the ball past Ward Melville freshman goalkeeper Sydney Millett as Boyle was being knocked to the ground.

The next three quarters would be a similar trade of haymakers.

Attacker Grace Gordon and Boyle would score early in the second quarter to flip the lead back to Huntington 4-3. This pair of markers for the Blue Devils represented the third lead change of the game. 

There would be more lead changes to come. 

Patriots defender Nori Korzenko created a turnover and flung a pass to midfielder Mia Modica racing through the center. On the dead run, Modica threw it to senior field hockey and lacrosse star Olivia Zummo at the right goal post. Zummo centered a pass across the circle to Nicole Manolakes. Manolakes, only in the eighth grade, whipped it past Huntington goalkeeper Juliet Johnson to tie the score at 5 with 5:18 left in the third quarter.

Patriots attacker Keira Pirozzi was checked in the head with 3:41 left in the period and scored the second free-position goal of the game to give Ward Melville a 6-5 lead. It would stay that way until 6:20 remained in the game when junior Gordon tied it at 6 for Huntington after she was fouled.

Aliya Leonard did the same for Ward Melville with 1:43 remaining, tying the game at 7 with a free-position goal. It was Leonard’s third goal of the game and it would be the last goal of regulation for either side.

Boyle, who injured her leg and briefly left the game in the first half, was quiet for a long stretch of the game thereafter. Ward Melville employed the defensive tactic known as the face guard on her, which puts a defender never more than a few inches away, stick waving in her face. 

This did not prevent Boyle from creating defense of her own — defense that would lead to the final scoring attack of the game.

After a timeout in the overtime session, Boyle intercepted a long, diagonal and ill-advised pass by Ward Melville defender Quinlan Heilbron and was then fouled by Pirozzi along the left sideline.

Pirozzi was sent off because she whacked Boyle around the head area, and when play resumed, Boyle lofted a cross-field pass to senior Devon St. John, who raced to her right about 20 yards away from the net. St. John spotted Italiano curling in front and snapped a perfect pass to her. Italiano caught the ball and, after a few quick dodges to her right, whistled it past Millett for the golden, game-winning, championship-clinching goal and an 8-7 win for Huntington. It was Italiano’s first shot attempt of the afternoon.

The Lady Blue Devils, who last won a county title in 1995, played Massapequa High School on Tuesday, June 3, at Adelphi University in Garden City. Huntington beat Northport High School in overtime on May 29 in the semifinal game, and in beating Ward Melville in the finals, the Blue Devils defeated the last two Suffolk County champions from 2023 and 2024. Massapequa has won the past two Long Island Class A championships.

— Photos by Steven Zaitz

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A scene from the 36th annual Smithtown Festival Day. Photo by Dan Palumbo
A scene from the 36th annual Smithtown Festival Day. Photo by Dan Palumbo
A scene from the 36th annual Smithtown Festival Day. Photo by Dan Palumbo
A scene from the 36th annual Smithtown Festival Day. Photo by Dan Palumbo
A scene from the 36th annual Smithtown Festival Day. Photo by Dan Palumbo
A scene from the 36th annual Smithtown Festival Day. Photo by Dan Palumbo
A scene from the 36th annual Smithtown Festival Day. Photo by Dan Palumbo
A scene from the 36th annual Smithtown Festival Day. Photo by Dan Palumbo
A scene from the 36th annual Smithtown Festival Day. Photo by Dan Palumbo
A scene from the 36th annual Smithtown Festival Day. Photo by Dan Palumbo
A scene from the 36th annual Smithtown Festival Day. Photo by Dan Palumbo
A scene from the 36th annual Smithtown Festival Day. Photo by Dan Palumbo
A scene from the 36th annual Smithtown Festival Day. Photo by Dan Palumbo

By Dan Palumbo

Residents of Smithtown and alongside neighboring towns gathered on Sunday, June 1 along Main Street to celebrate the 36th annual Smithtown Festival Day, sponsored by The Smithtown Chamber of Commerce. 

Main St. was closed off for the duration of the afternoon, so dozens of vendors, including local businesses and restaurants, sold a wide array of goods, as well as  offering entertainment and raffles for the entire family to enjoy as they made their way along the busy street. 

Among the attendees were Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace, Maui Chopped Ice, Island Chimney Service, Liberty Tattoo Company and several local politicians. 

— Photos by Dan Palumbo

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Willow + Harlow ribbon cutting. Photo by Rob Verbeck

The Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce (PJCC) hosted a ribbon cutting for Willow + Harlow Candle Company and Studio on May 23. Located at 208 East Main Street, the shop specializes in all-natural, non-toxic soy candles. 

Owner Christine Santos provides immersive experiences in candle making classes as well as other workshops that range from baking, stamping and painting. 

Pictured from left, Brett Sceravino (PJCC Director), Ron Schlumpf (PJCC Director), John Huber (PJCC Director), Nancy Bradley (PJCC Director), owner Christine Santos, her parents and her son, Port Jefferson Mayor Lauren Sheprow, Port Jefferson Trustee Xena Ugrinsky, and Julie Vitrano (PJCC Member).

For more information, call 631-260-5473 or visit www.willowharlow.com.

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Guides Kitty Lebens and Jill Gersbeck welcome visitors at the front door of the Sherwood-Jayne farmhouse.
The first-floor east room includes the rare hand-painted wall decorations.
The first-floor west room includes the pine corner cupboard.
The first page of Howard Sherwood’s “Sheep Register.”
Sherwood-Jayne House. Photo courtesy of Preservation Long Island

By Beverly C. Tyler

Along Old Post Road in East Setauket are a number of old farmhouses. One of the most interesting and best preserved is the circa 1730 Sherwood-Jayne House which is owned by Preservation Long Island. The home, first built by Matthias Jayne, and owned by a succession of his descendants, was enlarged over the years, but it retains much of its original appearance both inside and out. The house sits on a large area that retains a farm-like atmosphere with a colonial barn, ice house and a number of other structures. A carefully pruned apple orchard stands just to the west of the house along Old Post Road. To the left of the barn and behind the orchard is the entrance to the walking trail. The three-mile circular trail meanders through the wooded area where red-tailed hawks are known to nest. However, the trail is a bit difficult to follow as trail markers were not evident to me on opening day. 

A guided tour of the historic house is not to be missed. On May 31st, I was met at the front door by guides Kitty and Jill who described the house and grounds as a “central Long Island farmscape.” Matthias’ son William doubled the size of the house following the end of the Revolutionary War. Known locally as “Big Bill the Tory,” William, who lost his wife Tabitha in 1785, was responsible for the architectural details which provide a unifying appearance to the colonial structure. 

The Sherwood-Jayne farm is a part of the Town of Brookhaven’s East Setauket Historic District, one of five historic districts in the Three Village area. The farm represents the  character of the historic district with its many private historic farmhouses, dating from the end of the 17th century through the early years of the 20th century. 

The interior of the house features both original wall paintings and spectacular paneling. The paneling is believed to be from a nearby colonial house that was the birthplace of Benjamin Tallmadge, leader of the Culper spy ring. Howard Sherwood,  who purchased the house in 1908 from the third great-granddaughter of Matthias Jayne, collected the paneling and the interior furnishings.

As detailed by Preservation Long Island, “Howard Sherwood, an American decorative arts collector and Preservation Long Island founder…is responsible for the building’s current appearance as a restored colonial-era farmhouse with early twentieth-century Colonial Revival alterations…” One of the interesting records kept by Sherwood is a “Sheep Register” which details his project to use sheep on the farm. He wrote, “Along in the summer of 1932, Charlie and I bethought ourselves of sheep as a means of keeping the East field down and in shape. Accordingly, the following fall and winter, Charlie cut and set the posts to fence it and in April ‘33 I secured the necessary wire fencing, together with a stretcher to stretch it and staples to fasten it…” 

A small spiral-bound copy of his register is available for visitors to see during the house tour. Neither sheep nor any other farm animals are currently housed on the Sherwood-Jayne farm, however the tour of the two floors of the house has many surprises including wide pine floorboards salvaged from Bridgehampton’s “Old Wick’s Tavern; A beautiful pine corner cupboard from a center-hall house north of Syracuse, NY; historic coverlets; period floor covering reproductions and much more.      

Preservation Long Island offers Saturday tours of the Sherwood-Jayne Farm House (c. 1730), 55 Old Post Road, Setauket at 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. through Oct. 11.  Tickets are $10 adults, $5 ages 10 to 18, free for children ages 9 and under. To reserve your spot, visit www.preservationlongisland.org/tours/.

Beverly Tyler is Three Village Historical Society historian and author of books available from the Three Village Historical Society, 93 North Country Rd., Setauket, NY 11733. Tel: 631-751-3730. www.TVHS.org 

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Local leaders speak at the Lawrence Aviation Site on June 2. Photo by Sabrina Artusa
Local leaders at the Lawrence Aviation Site on June 2. Photo by Sabrina Artusa
Local leaders at the Lawrence Aviation Site on June 2. Photo by Sabrina Artusa

By Sabrina Artusa 

While the Lawrence Aviation Industries site in Port Jefferson Station is clean and cleared from the superfund registry, the atmosphere around the prospective rail yard is murkier than ever. 

The MTA has yet to secure the 40 acres allocated to the rail yard, which would be crucial to electrifying the Port Jefferson line. As the June 30 deadline approaches, local officials and environmental leaders met at the site on June 2 to urge the MTA to sign and for Governor Kathy Hochul to apply further pressure. Brookhaven bought 40 acres to preserve as open space and the county bought the other 40 acres to use as a solar farm. 

“This is a community grafted and supported plan that elected officials from all levels of government have worked very hard on for 15 years now,” said Adrienne Esposito of the Citizens Campaign for the Environment. “And we are in the last few days to make it successful and get the job done.” 

The Setauket–Port Jefferson Station Greenway will have to be rerouted in order for the MTA to proceed with the rail yard. Since the DOT owns that land, they have to sign an agreement with the MTA and work out an easement between them. 

Romaine said the DOT is hesitating in giving the MTA the go-ahead. “Let’s not pass this up because the DOT is blocking this,” Romaine said. “Let’s everybody row in the same direction…let’s electrify this line.” 

Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay is pushing legislation to advance an easement agreement between the DOT and MTA. 

The bill, currently being reviewed by committee, ensures the DOT will not be prevented from rerouting the Greenway. Further, it states that if the DOT intends to expand Route 25A, as they originally intended,  the easement would not impede that move as a bridge could connect the Greenway instead.

“The DOT is authorized and directed to work with the MTA and other interested particles and/or owners of real property surrounding the Greenway to negotiate and execute the…easement within six months after the effective date of this act,” the bill reads. 

After the event at the Lawrence Aviation Site, Kassay said the DOT reached out to her with suggested amendments. 

“New York State has lofty green energy goals, lofty goals for decarbonization and I can not do enough to press upon them how vital this opportunity is to make more green the MTA,” said Kassay, who has been pushing for assistance at the state level. “This is not an opportunity we can lose.” 

 An updated, electrified line is something residents from Port Jefferson to Smithtown can benefit from: fewer breakdowns, cleaner air and a smoother ride. The train can be used by Stony Brook University students and can provide redevelopment opportunities.

“In order to build housing, and to put that housing where it makes sense for rail service, this could only help. For the economic development that is needed, this could only help,” said Brookhaven Supervisor Dan Panico.  

The Suffolk County Landbank is selling the land to the MTA for $10. Sarah Lansdale, the Suffolk County commissioner of economic development and planning, said the MTA cut off communication with the landbank last September. 

Further,  she said that the landbank submitted two FOIL requests asking for records specifying any plans of potential development for the area. The DOT declined possessing such records.

“The Department has no plans or designs for the reconstruction of NY25A from its current location to the property that was acquired where a section of the Setauket–Port Jefferson Greenway trail exits near Sheep Pasture Road and where Suffolk County and the LIRR are proposing to create a rail yard,” a March 24 letter from Department of Transportation Deputy Counsel Norman W. Kee to Suffolk County reads. 

After not receiving the requested records, Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and Planning submitted an appeal.

The June 30 deadline is about a year from the first deadline in 2024. Two extensions later, if the MTA and DOT do not reach an agreement and the MTA does not purchase the property, the project cannot move forward. 

“We are going to show her how it’s done,” Esposito said as she held up red tape for Romaine to cut. 

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Fresh Berry Cream Tart

By Heidi Sutton

Summer is right around the corner and that means strawberry season on Long Island. With a variety of gorgeous fresh fruits at your fingertips, why not whip up a fabulous sweet dessert to surprise family or share with friends?

Chocolate and Strawberry Greek Yogurt Bark – SEE VIDEO HERE

Recipe courtesy of Milk Means More

Chocolate and Strawberry Greek Yogurt Bark

YIELD: Makes 8 servings

INGREDIENTS:  

3 cups plain non-fat Greek yogurt

1/3 cup honey plus additional for drizzling, divided (optional)

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 cup melted dark chocolate

1/2 cup strawberries

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:

In medium bowl, combine Greek yogurt, honey and vanilla. On parchment-lined baking sheet, spread Greek yogurt mixture to 1/4-inch thickness. Drop spoonfuls of melted chocolate onto yogurt and use toothpick to drag in circles. Press strawberries and chocolate chips into yogurt. 

Freeze at least 3 hours. Remove from freezer and break into pieces.

Strawberry Chiffon Pie

Recipe courtesy of Culinary.net

Strawberry Chiffon Pie

 

YIELD: Makes 8 servings

INGREDIENTS:  

2 cups coarsely chopped strawberries

3/4 cup honey, divided

1 envelope unflavored gelatin

1/4 cup cold water

1 cup light sour cream

9-inch crumb crust

DIRECTIONS:

In small bowl, mash strawberries and 1/4 cup honey; set aside. In small saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over cold water; let stand five minutes. Stir in remaining 1/2 cup honey. Warm over low heat until gelatin dissolves. 

Transfer to large bowl; stir in sour cream. Cover and refrigerate 20 to 30 minutes or until mixture mounds on a spoon when tested.

Using an electric mixer, beat mixture at medium speed until light. Fold in strawberries; mix until well combined. Pour into prepared crust. Cover and refrigerate at least two hours before serving.

Fresh Berry Cream Tart

Recipe courtesy of Family Features

Fresh Berry Cream Tart

YIELD: Makes 8 servings

INGREDIENTS:  

1 box refrigerated pie crust

1 8-ounce package cream cheese softened

1/3 cup sugar

1 tablespoon orange juice

4 cups assorted fresh whole berries: strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and/or blackberries

1/3 cup red currant jelly melted

DIRECTIONS:

Heat oven to 450°F. Prepare pie crust as directed on package for one-crust baked shell using 9-inch tart pan with removable bottom. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool completely.

In small bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar and liqueur; beat until smooth and well blended. Spread cream cheese mixture evenly in cooled baked shell. Top with berries; brush berries with melted jelly to glaze. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving. 

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From left, Ben Yang, Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio in a scene from 'Karate Kid: Legends.' Photo courtesy of Columbia Pictures

Reviewed by Jeffrey Sanzel

The Karate Kid was the sleeper hit of 1984, grossing $100 million in the United States and Canada. The film received mostly good reviews, was deemed a “feel-good” movie and made the film’s star, twenty-two-year-old Ralph Macchio, into an international teen idol. 

A scene from ‘Karate Kid: Legends’. Photo courtesy of Columbia Pictures

The Karate Kid  spawned multiple sequels: The Karate Kid Part II (1986), The Karate Kid Part III (1989), The New Karate Kid (1994), and The Karate Kid (2010), a remake of the original. An animated series, action figures, video games, comic books, a board game, and even an unproduced Broadway musical (in the works in 2020) are just part of the Karate Kid’s descendants. The most interesting addition is Cobra Kai (2018-2025), a streaming series of sixty-five episodes that included original stars Macchio and William Zabka. The exceptional show picked up thirty-four years after the first film. Cobra Kai was a worthy successor and addition to the franchise legacy.

Unfortunately, Karate Kid: Legends, the sixth big-screen entry, is, at best, on the level of direct-to-video. The basic, well-worn plot concerns Li Fong (Ben Wang) moving from Beijing to the United States when his mother (Ming-Na Wen), a doctor, lands a position in a New York City hospital. Dr. Fong does not approve of martial arts due to the death of her older son, who was stabbed to death by thugs led by his defeated rival. Li has studied kung fu with Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) and now must abandon his training in the wuguan (dojo).

On his first day in the City, Li “meets cute” Mia Lipani (Sadie Stanley), daughter of Victory Pizza owner Victor (Joshua Jackson), who is in debt to loan sharks. Quickly, Li runs afoul of Conor Day (Aramis Knight), a karate champion who also happens to be Sadie’s ex. What follows is a simplistic yet somehow convoluted plot whereby Mr. Han arrives to prepare Li for a major tournament with a $50,000 prize. Mr. Han also recruits California-based Daniel LaRusso (Macchio) to co-train Li in a blend of kung fu and karate. The connection between kung fu and karate is part of a refrain of “two branches/one tree” from the prologue—a clip with Macchio and his teacher, Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita), snagged from The Karate Kid II. 

Director Jonathan Entwistle does little with Rob Lieber’s by-the-numbers screenplay. Events are presented, but with little conflict, as the film meanders toward its predictable conclusion. The film relies on sitcom jokes and obvious montages, saccharine encounters, and often trite, strained dialogue. Peripheral elements of Chinese culture are given short shrift. Themes of guilt and responsibility barely register and then are quickly dismissed. 

The most delightful moment is the brief tag in the final minutes—a tease of what the entire outing could have been. Legacy only manages to achieve a level of “fine” because of the assembled actors. The cast is pleasant, and the performances are uniformly more than acceptable. Wang channels a Michael J. Fox vibe, making him charismatic and easy to root for. His chemistry with the likable Stanley is believable. Jackson plays her father like a low-rent George Clooney, but not without a certain appeal. 

Wen tries to find dimension in the grieving mother but is given few colors to play with and saddled with pedestrian lines: “You practice violence; you get violence in return.” The screenplay gives Knight’s sadistic bad boy zero background and no definition, flattening any possible wrinkle to the story: He is a stock psychopath, set up to be knocked over like a villainous bowling pin. Wyatt Oleff’s geeky tutor, Alan, seems like an afterthought.

Macchio, as always, owns Daniel and tries to bring both depth and lightness to the flabby proceedings. Chan is absolutely charming as the kung fu school’s shifu (master), and he and Macchio have an easy give-and-take that is the film’s highlight. Chan’s comic timing and smooth delivery enhance the underwhelming film.

It would be unfair to say the franchise is tired. Cobra Kai reinvented The Karate Kid surprisingly and engagingly, elevating and even surpassing the original films in many ways. Sadly, the Legends experience is cotton candy—but not in the festive carnival of memory and nostalgia. Instead, Karate Kid: Legends is muted and overly sweet, lacking substance and, ultimately, unmemorable.

Rated PG-13, the film is now playing in local theaters.

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METRO photo

By Lisa Scott

The New York State Board of Elections (BOE) is committed to fulfilling its responsibility to the citizens of New York State by providing fair, accurate, and accessible elections. This responsibility, and the credit associated with it, must be shared with the many dedicated poll workers who help make elections successful.

The Suffolk County BOE hires Election Inspectors for Primary Elections, General Elections and Special Elections. Each inspector must be a registered voter in Suffolk County. You will be assigned to a polling site within your Township and are  paid for training and each day you work. If you are 17 years old, you may be eligible if your school district participates in a program under Education Law Section 3207-a.

In 2025, Primary Election Day is Tuesday June 24, with early voting June 14 to 22. Only voters registered in a political party before Feb. 14 of that calendar year may vote in their party’s primary election. Tuesday Nov. 4 is the General Election, with early voting Oct. 25 to Nov. 2, in which voters may vote for any candidate of their choice regardless of political affiliation. Special Elections could be held any time of the year, and are held if an elected position unexpectedly becomes vacant; the jurisdiction may set an election to fill the position. 

Polling places are open long hours (6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Election Days, and 8 hour variable times during early voting days). Inspectors are expected to arrive early to prepare the polling place under the direction of the polling place Coordinators. Inspectors always work in bipartisan pairs- thus providing a backup and witness to all polling place work. Inspectors must stay until the entire polling site has been shut down and every inspector is ready to leave for the evening.

Inspectors may work a variety of jobs at the polling place. They may be greeters and line managers, they staff the poll pads to check the voters (the voters identify themselves, sign in on the poll pads, and receive a printed receipt), they staff the ballot station (voters are asked for their receipt and highlight it, receive their ballot, and offered a privacy sleeve) and they monitor the tabulators (monitor and verify receipts, and assist as needed). 

Voting inspectors report any issues or problems to their Coordinators, who are responsible for handling these. Problems might include voter not being found on the poll pad, spoiled ballots, absentee and early mail ballot issues, affidavit ballot issues, court ordered ballots and ICE BMD machine/accessible voting. 

Upon their arrival, poll watchers, who are volunteers appointed by political parties or candidates to observe the election day procedures (and are not Board of Elections employees) are directed to the Coordinators. Poll watchers may be present for observation at the polls from 15 minutes before the unlocking and examination of any voting device or ballot box at the opening of the polls until after the close of the polls; may challenge persons who they believe are not qualified to vote, and observe the canvass of the vote after closing. 

Electioneering (the process of convincing voters to vote for or against a particular candidate, party or issue) is prohibited by NYS law – it is illegal within 100 feet from the entrance to the polling place that the public will access. Voters may not carry signs or wear clothing which explicitly conveys their support of named candidates on election day, and the Board of Elections has a zero tolerance policy for electioneering by Inspectors.

The right to vote is one of our nation’s oldest and most important entitlements, and with this right comes responsibility. Free and open elections are the basis on which this country was formed and you can make a difference by becoming a poll worker to help protect those freedoms. Election Inspectors are an essential participant in the process that enables our citizens to exercise their constitutional right to vote. If you serve as a poll worker your interactions with the voters are what they will remember and are what will influence their confidence in the integrity and fairness of our elections. 

If you live in Suffolk County and are interested in becoming an inspector in 2025, call 631-852-4533, 631-852-4536, email [email protected], or text APPLY to 631-400-5991.

Additional links:

■ elections.ny.gov/become-poll-worker

■ Helpamericavote.gov

■ www.eac.gov/help-america-vote

Lisa Scott is president of the League of Women Voters of Suffolk County a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy. For more information, visit https//my.lwv.org/new-york/suffolk-county.

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