Long Islanders head to the polls on Midterm Election Day

Yeah, and just moments ago, Nassau County executive and Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman cast his ballot here at Atlantic Beach Village Hall behind me. As he walked in, a reporter asked him how he's feeling. He says he feels like a winner today. Ultimately, we'll see how things shake out as we go. Throughout the day, and ballots are continuing to be cast, as you said. We head towards that 9 o'clock deadline tonight. But, you know, we've seen as we've been here, we've been other places in Nassau County earlier today, in Freeport as well, we saw that there's been a good turnout so far. People have been making their ways to the polls early on today. And really today, months of campaigning comes down to this, as Long Islanders cast their votes for races up and down the ballot, including for governor. Incumbent Democrat Kathy Hochul has been up in really nearly every poll in the lead-up to today against Republican challenger Nassau County. Executive Bruce Blakeman. But four years ago, Long Island Congressman Lee Zeldin, he did carry both Nassau and Suffolk County. So we'll see if Blakeman is able to build on some of that momentum today. Now, polls opened at 6 o'clock. They will stay open until 9 tonight. Recent polling has found the economy, gas prices, cost of living, and health care are some of the voters' biggest concerns heading into the midterms. And just moments ago, after he cast his ballot, Blakeman did speak with reporters, encouraging people to come out and vote. I'm urging everybody to get out there and vote, make sure you vote today, make your voices heard. If you want reduced taxes, you want your utility bills cut in half, and you want safer communities, and you want change, you want to restore New York back to its greatness, get out and vote today for Blakeman. Thank you. Now, Hochul, she actually voted early about a week and a half ago, so she cast her vote early in her hometown of Buffalo. And again, polls across New York will remain open until 9 o'clock tonight. We're in Atlantic Beach in Nassau County. Jonathan Gordon, News 12.