Polls Close As Last Commack Residents Cast Their Votes

Commack polling sites saw a number of younger voters at the end of a particularly busy election day, many of whom voiced concerns about everything from taxes to health care.

By 1 p.m., the  polling center had already seen 216 voters, according to thirty-seventh district polling inspector Herald LaWare. Ballot collectors agreed with LaWare's sentiments about a busy election day as the polls closed around 9 p.m..

Echoing the opinions of many of the earlier voters, some are simply in need of a different way of doing things.

"I'm fed up with politics as usual," Gregg Diprima said. "I'm really looking for a change."

While voters earlier in the day called for more general change in government, the flood of late voters, many of which were delayed by the work day, had more specific issues in mind, including jobs and fiscal reform.

"I'm concerned for the future," Felipe Valencia, a student going into the medical field, said. "I'm really concerned about regulations on stem cells, taxes, NASA, and above all health care. These issues really matter to me and that's why I'm here."

 "I'm looking to make a difference," Josie Conte said. "There seems to be a big problem in this country, especially with jobs and taxes."

One particularly big issue for Commack residents, which has also been prevalent nationally in recent months, is fiscal responsibility.

"We need to address fiscal responsibility," Denise Keenan said. "We need to reduce spending."

Still, many showed up simply because they felt it was their duty to vote.

"Why am I here? To vote!" Ilene, a Commack resident who declined to give her last name, said. "If something went wrong and we didn't do anything I'd feel guilty."

Again, there were those that simply vote out of habit.

"I just vote every year," Walter Keenan said.

Though there was a bit tension over the machines after troubles in September, the kinks seem to be worked out. At the end of a long day, however, it seemed that at least the polling process had gone well.

"We were worried about these new machines," said LaWare. "But things have gone really smoothly."