Suffolk Elections Board: The Vote Will Go On

While darkened schools, libraries and senior centers have folks wondering what Election Day will be like, Suffolk County's Board Elections on Thursday said the polls will have power one way or the other.

Jesse Garcia, an official with the Suffolk County Board of Elections and chairman of the Brookhaven Republicans, said he fully expects all 342 polling centers in the county to be up and running.

"We have been in contact with LIPA and the state board or elections to make sure school and polling places are a powering priority," Garcia said, adding they have already secured 200 generators to help power polling places and have reached out to fire departments across the county to secure more.

The possibility of paper ballots isn't off the table, Garcia said, but that decision hasn't been made yet.

As for damaged polling places, Garcia said the BOE has sent spotters to asses every one to see that they are fit for Election Day.

The one question mark is Fire Island, which has been closed off since Hurricane Sandy lashed the barrier island on Monday. BOE officials are expected to assess polling places there on Friday.

"We just want to make sure the public has a very simple, easy way to participate in the election," Garcia said.

Babylon Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer also told Patch on Thursday to expect a smooth Election Day, and confirmed that the BOE will be setting up generators in stricken polling places.

"It is extremely important that voting take place so that people feel some sense of normalcy - exercising their rights on Election Day. I think it's part of the healing process, especially during a presidential election."