Use of Old-Style Lever Voting Machines Likely
Yaphank - (WALK) Long Island voters will select their local fire commssioners this week. The winners will have control over a total of $311 million in spending, and corresponding influence over our property taxes.
Elections are set for 126 fire districts Island-wide Tuesday. The districts are defined as independent public agencies with unsalaried commissioners. Commissioners are responsible for carrying out district policies, setting budgets, and purchasing equipment.
BACK TO THE FUTURE?
A potential complication this year: Most of the fire districts in Suffolk and approximately 25 percent of districts in Nassau may use the old, lever-style voting machines, according to elections officials.
Many of the new, optical-scan voting machines were impounded by court order during recounts of the general elections in November, and may not be available Tuesday. Using the old machines is in defiance of State law, so results may be subject to legal challenges, say State officials. Some districts are pursuing wavers to permit the use of lever-machings, others may use paper ballots.
Board of Elections officials say voting house may vary by district. Residents are encourged to call their local districts or check Websites for polling hours and locations.
One potential complication for elections this year complicationyear: most of the districts in Suffolk and
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