Politics & Government

Strong Turnout, Desire For Change At Hauppauge Polls

Voters motivated by economy, politicians' campaigning when choosing candidates.

Hauppauge voters turned out in numbers at the polls on Tuesday, speaking of change while dealing with a new voting system.

"We've had a very strong turn out today," said Pat Alger, a coordinator at Hauppauge Middle School. "We have five districts in here, and it's been a steady stream all day."

While Alger did not have a specific number of voters, the middle school's parking lot off Townline Road was filled to capacity as residents parked vehicles on the grass to head inside.

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 "Mostly, it's the economy. I feel the incumbents failed so the incumbents are out," said Hauppauge resident Russell Dalba. 

Dalba said he voted against U.S. Rep. Steve Israel, D-Huntington, after having supported him several times in the past.

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"I've voted for him a couple of times in the past, but he's changed over the past few years from a middle-of-the-road position to a liberal, following [Nancy] Pelosi's position," he said.

Doug Adams, of Hauppauge,  said his vote was also based on the economy, looking for political leaders who will create jobs and generate money within the local economy. Others took issue with the political candidate's campaigning in light of the economic recession.

"I was upset with the amount of money politicians spent campaigning with the number of needy people out there," said Hauppauge resident Bob Druckenmiller. "The amount of money spent on this election is out of control."

Druckmiller said he found the lead up to the 2010 election full of negative campaigning, that left intelligent voters like himself wondering what the positive attributes the candidates had to offer.

Many Hauppauge voters polled outside the middle school said they liked the new ballot system. Polling officials said the new paper ballots, concealed with a paper sleeve then fed into a scanner machine were working well with few glitches, but were not without their dissenters.

"I kind of like the old machines better. They were quicker, easier, and it's what we were used to," said resident Paul Novacek.


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