Key Takeaways:
– Tom Suozzi and Mazi Melesa Pilip are fighting for ex-Rep. George Santos’ seat amidst an anticipated snowstorm.
– Despite the weather, both parties are bent on garnering support from their constituents via in-person voting.
– The impending storm may favor Democrats, as more have already voted by mail.
– The results of this special election are expected to give insights into upcoming November polls.
As the special election to replace ex-Rep. George Santos is set in motion in Long Island, candidates Tom Suozzi and Mazi Melesa Pilip are going the extra mile to secure victory, despite the looming snowstorm. The potential eight-inch snowfall in the New York City area is not dampening their spirits or their determination.
Stakes High Despite Snowstorm
Suozzi, the Democrat candidate, and Pilip, running on the Republican line, are both encouraging their supporters to face the inclement weather and cast their votes in person on election day. This race, anticipated to have key implications for Congress, also offers a predictive outlook for November’s election trends.
“We have very good early return results from early voting and absentee ballots”, Suozzi shared during a campaign stop at a Glen Cove bakery. “It seems like the weather will improve later in the day”, he added optimistically.
Republican’s Strategy Defying Weather
Even as the worst snowstorm in two years is on the horizon, the Nassau County Republican Party is confident about their strong turnout. Their organization is known for inciting robust participation from their supporters, skipping neither fair weather nor foul.
“Nassau Republicans are energetic and ready to back Mazi in this special election”, claimed Brian Devine, the spokesperson for Pilip. He expressed his unwavering faith in his party members, believing they would turn up at the polls despite the dire weather prediction, to support their candidate’s journey to Washington, D.C.
Campaign Efforts Upfront
Both campaigns have not revealed detailed plans about getting out the vote but have assured their readiness. Nassau Republicans, in particular, launched a strong door-to-door campaign to rally support for Pilip. Simultaneously, Suozzi is depending heavily on local union volunteers.
The Democrats may have an advantage with a significant lead in TV ad spending, but it’s uncertain whether that will motivate voters to brave the snow and cast their votes.
The election officials have confirmed that polls in the NY-03 district, which covers the North Shore and some parts of far northeast Queens, will be open as usual from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Impact of the Snowstorm on Election Day
The snow is expected to start overnight, likely piling up significantly by Tuesday morning when voting is set to commence, and continue throughout the day.
Some analysts predict Suozzi may gain an advantage with the storm. Given the current voting trends, more Democrats have voted through mail or during the nine days of in-person early voting than Republicans. In contrast, Republicans traditionally prefer to vote in person on Election Day.
Additionally, the snowstorm might disrupt Republican voting trends if people decide to stay in and tackle snow-related issues rather than voting. Public schools will be closed in New York City, which could make it more challenging for parents to vote.
Early Voting Indications
Early voting data shows that Democrats hold an 11% edge over Republicans, up from a 7.8% lead in the 2020 race won by Santos. Despite these numbers, GOP-friendly analysts warn that these figures do not automatically indicate support for Suozzi and have highlighted that Santos won by 7.5% despite similar early voting numbers. As this district is home to almost 30% of Independent voters, they could sway the vote in Tuesday’s special election.