Despite Doubts, New Voting Systems Were a Hit

Overall, the reviews for the new voting system were as mixed as the crowds that turned out for Election '10. Largely one of the most pivotal – and widely reported elections of the early 2000s, fights for seats in the New York State Assembly, Senate and Congress left Republicans and Democrats on edge.

However, outside of the political realm, before winners had even been decided, the real stars of the night were the new voting systems employed in many voting stations around Dix Hills. Familiar with the voting problems had by many during the New York City September primary elections about two months back, it seemed many voters went into voting booths expecting to experience the same sentiments that lead Mayor Bloomberg to call the elections, "a royal screw up."

Going in with dismay, Christian, a 22-year-old employee of the Half Hollow Hills Community Library overheard many coworkers mentioning that the new voting system was "electronic but confusing." Though his job is troubleshooting computers for the library, he expected the voting systems to have glitches and  possibly short out.

On the other hand, Raymond Mortarotti, an upper-middle-aged local coming to vote in Half Hollow Hills East High School was glad for ease of use. Using the new, computerized systems, Mortarotti remarked the system was "clean, streamlined and more accurate."

Accuracy regarding names, parties and actual votes has always been a major issue when it comes to American elections. Many feel inaccurate ballot results have led to swayed elections in times past, or that results may be botched because questions – and results were neither properly collected nor read.

"I don't know anyone who has had problems with the machines," Mortarotti added. "That's probably why there are no lines."

Having heard many express similar doubts, Doris Wiur felt that the machines were about as easy to use as in previous elections. However, she remarked that "some people have said that they feel we're going backward…because the machines were manual this time." Noting however that no one she knew has had problems with glitches, backed-up ballots or confusing questions, Doris wasn't too sure of whether or not the new machines were better than machines used in times prior.

It seemed everyone was skeptical of the new voting machines before actually using them. Thinking they were going to find the new system confusing, hard to use, or even troublesome (having such glitches as backed-up information or shorting out), most voters were not looking forward to what they felt would be a bothersome process. Upon leaving however, most everyone was smiling. None reported actually having problems with the machines, and in fact, many of the same people who said they'd heard the machines were hard to use, found them to be quite the opposite.

It looks like an embarrassing situation in September lead to vast improvements this election. Rest assured, Dix Hillians re-elected their local officials: Steve Israel (D- Huntington) in the Second Congressional district, Jim Conte (R-Huntington Station), who easily won his Tenth Assembly district seat, and Andrew Raia (R-East Northport) took back his Ninth Assembly district seat. They were all thankful voters had such an easy time putting them in office.