With Election Day just one week away, Long Island voters are voicing deep frustration with both major political parties as key issues like public safety and the rising cost of living take center stage.
A new national survey from The New York Times and Siena University reveals widespread dissatisfaction among voters across the country, with many expressing concern that neither Democrats nor Republicans are focused on the right priorities.
On Long Island, where high housing costs, household bills and daily living expenses continue to strain family budgets, affordability has emerged as a deciding factor for residents.
"Voters right now are frustrated. They're unhappy," said Don Levy, executive director of the Siena University Research Institute. "Right now, they're calling for a change."
Despite general frustration with both parties, the survey shows voters give Democrats a slight edge when it comes to trust on key domestic issues, including the economy, healthcare and addressing the cost-of-living crisis.
Levy noted that Long Island families are looking for practical solutions to relieve economic pressure, particularly as political control in Washington remains tightly contested.
"They prefer solutions to the affordability crisis that virtually every family on Long Island faces at this point," Levy said. "If the Democrats win, they are going to have two years in a situation where there's still going to be a Republican president where voters are saying, 'Do something.'"
As voters head to the ballot box, concerns over financial strain and community safety are expected to play a crucial role in shaping local results on Election Day.