Long Island residents prepare for Election Day voting

After months of debate, Long Islanders will cast their ballots for president on Election Day. The candidates made last-minute pushes Monday to attract votes before the big day. Democrat Hillary Clinton

News 12 Staff

Nov 8, 2016, 8:12 AM

Updated 2,893 days ago

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After months of debate, Long Islanders will cast their ballots for president on Election Day.
The candidates made last-minute pushes Monday to attract votes before the big day. Democrat Hillary Clinton spoke to a crowd in Pittsburgh for one of her final stops on her campaign. Republican Donald Trump also criss-crossed states where polls have the candidates in a tight race: Florida, Pennsylvania and North Carolina.
Long Island Republicans are hoping that Trump will finish on top.
"There's a lot of momentum, and in a political race this is where you want the momentum," says Suffolk GOP Chairman John Jay Lavalle. "Just like when you're playing baseball, you want your momentum in September and October, so Mr. Trump's going to be Mr. November."
Long Island Democrats are also hopeful their candidate, Clinton, will be elected the first female president.
"Her message of 'Stronger Together,' growing together, getting everyone involved in taking part in the American dream, I think is a message of hope," says Nassau Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs.
Besides picking a president, Long Islanders will be voting on members of Congress, members of the state Legislature and control over the state Senate, which is a key battle on Long Island with Republicans currently in power.
Most polls show Clinton with a double-digit lead over Trump in New York state.
Also Monday, 3rd Congressional District candidate Tom Suozzi and fellow Democrat Jim Gaughran, who is running for the state Senate in the 5th District, made their final pushes for votes at the Hicksville train station.
Republicans gathered outside the GOP headquarters in Franklin Square Monday night for a rally. State Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan says he is proud of the GOP ticket in Nassau.
While many candidates were out Monday getting out the vote, political analyst Mike Dwadziak says most people have already made up their minds.
"Persuasion ended about the middle of last week," Dwadziak says. "Since the middle of last week, all efforts should have been on turnout, and that's the key now."
The polls are open Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.