Massapequa school voter turnout was so high they ran out of ballots
Voter turnout on Tuesday was higher than expected in the Massapequa school district. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca
Budget and school board election results were delayed in two Long Island districts as officials faced a surge in voters at the polls Tuesday.
In Massapequa, schools Superintendent William Brennan said the district experienced “higher-than-expected voter participation." The district ran out of ballots and was forced to print more, he said in an email.
Ballots were placed into drop boxes overseen by the site director, poll watchers and security officers, Brennan said. As per Nassau law, paper ballots are counted by hand, he said.
“While this may have caused minor delays, the process went smoothly and we were able to provide all voters the opportunity to cast a secure ballot,” Brennan said.
It was not clear how many people voted Tuesday. The district's proposed 2026-27 budget was approved by a vote of 4,761-2,192.
Incumbents Danielle Ocuto and Cher Lepre defeated challengers Lynn Russo and Robert Bonett in the school board election, according to results posted on the district website.
In Roosevelt, meanwhile, school officials were expected to announce the results of Tuesday's vote within five to 10 business days as the district dealt with a high number of affidavit ballots.
“Due to the amount of affidavit ballots, we are unable to certify the election tonight,” a district spokesperson said Tuesday.
Check back for updates on this developing story.
Lorena Mongelli has been reporting for Newsday since 2021. Prior to that, she covered breaking news at the New York Post.
