Tag Archives: responsibilities

By Lisa Scott Voters in Suffolk County used their preferred method for the November general elections: early in-person voting over 9 days prior to Election Day, in-person voting on Election Day, applying for, receiving and mailing a completed absentee ballot, applying for, receiving and mailing a completed early mail ballot, and in some cases, asking for and receiving an affidavit ballot in person under special circumstances (these are forwarded to and handled separately at the Suffolk County Board of Elections (SCBOE) since they require more research/substantiation). There are 1070 election districts (EDs) in Suffolk County, and results by ED can be found on the Suffolk County Board of Elections website (suffolkvotes. com) and much detail can also be found in newspapers in the days following the election, with articles and opinions such as “How Long Island voted in 2025.” Using the color red for Republican votes, and blue for Democratic votes, clearly Long Island is a patchwork, and the results, particularly for the 18 Suffolk County Legislature districts, indicate that (11 red, 7 blue for 2026-28). Roughly 225, 000 voters cast ballots (out of a total of 1, 093, 535 active voters in the county); results by races are on the SC BOE website (remember not every voter chooses to vote in each contest on their ballot). They are still considered “unofficial” as of this column’s publishing date. In 2025 Suffolk voters cast ballots for county-wide offices (District Attorney and Sheriff), all 18 county Legislators, and numerous town offices including supervisors and town council members. Each town has its own structure for town council. As the League of Women Voters of Suffolk County (and comprised of four local Leagues Huntington, Smithtown, Brookhaven and the League of the Hamptons, Shelter Island and the North Fork) we encourage voters to now take on their new/post-election day responsibility to educate themselves on the roles and responsibilities and responsiveness of their elected officials. The presence of hyper-local trusted media varies throughout Suffolk. Weekly papers (such as the one you are reading) can do a terrific job in covering local government, and educating people on issues that affect them. Many have robust websites that residents turn to as well. Unfortunately growing numbers of people have become detached from “civics”, but the League is dedicated to restoring and reinvigorating citizen education. The result is that small numbers of people can have a disproportionate voice in their local governments (town and county). All voices should be heard, but all voices should also listen, ponder, research, and discuss based on evidence, facts, history, and experience. Your local League may help you, but we need to know what you are interested in, want to learn about, or what passion, expertise or experience you can bring to an understanding of issues. We suggest you start with your Town and Suffolk County officials and representatives, (and then perhaps your NYS Senator and Assemblymember). To find out who now represents you, visit the NYS Board of Elections website at Enter your county, last name, first name, date of birth and zip code. It will give you your Election District, County Legislative District, State Senate District State Assembly District and Congressional District. It gives you your Town, but not your town officials or council district (if applicable). Once you have your district information, you can refer to the League of Women Voters of Suffolk County’s annual Directory of Public Officials (available online at You can download and print the relevant pages for contact information for all levels of government from president to village mayors. Communicate with these officials expect government to be open to citizen input and provide you with resources, materials, and listen to your concerns. But with that opportunity comes responsibility. Understand what each level of local and county government can control and is responsible for; do your homework, look at their websites, and initiate dialogue. For example, taxes are a significant issue for all of us, but understand where the money comes from, and where it goes. And all levels of government business should be conducted openly (unless of a truly confidential/personnel nature). The League would like to hear from you as well. We’ve created a link on our website so that you can communicate your areas of concern or issues on these local levels. We’d love to hear from the many voices “out there,” so we can address issues in these columns or perhaps develop informational programs or resources to give you tools to broaden your understanding of issues. The link to communicate with the League is Lisa Scott is president of the League of Women Voters of Suffolk County. Continue reading Making Democracy Work: Now your post election engagement must begin→