NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — The early voting period for the special election to fill the seat of expired former Rep. George Santos, representing the 3rd Congressional District, began on Saturday and will run for nine-days.
Gov. Kathy Hochul called for the special election following Santos’ Dec. 1 expulsion from Congress after a House ethics report accused him of using campaign dollars for personal gain. Santos still faces federal indictments in relation to his campaign fundraising and spending.
Select polling sites in the 3rd Congressional District, which encompasses parts of Nassau and Queens counties, are offering early voting until Feb. 11. Traditional voting will occur on Feb. 13, the set date of the special election.
The race is between two-term Nassau County Legislator and GOP-backed Mazi Melesa Pilip, and former Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi, who held the same congressional seat that’s up for grabs between 2017 and 2023.
Pilip, of Great Neck, is an Ethiopian Jewish woman who previously served in the IDF as a paratrooper. She is platforming herself as supportive of Israel and law enforcement, and as a mother to seven children.
“I don’t like this attitude of wow, you’re a mother, you cannot do nothing. That’s incorrect. And unfortunately, I keep hearing it from the Democratic Party … If I’m a mother it doesn’t mean I cannot continue with my career and be a mother at the same time,” Pilip said.
Suozzi, of Glen Cove, is an accountant with a long record of working in public service. He left Congress to pursue a bid for New York State Governor, a race he lost to Hochul. In the campaign to reclaim his former seat, Suozzi is emphasizing his experience and moderate status.
“I’ve got a reputation and a record for decades in public service of working across party lines,” Suozzi said.
1010 WINS/WCBS 880 talked with voters at a polling site in Whitestone, Queens, to hear early thoughts about the candidates.
Clara was quick to say that she voted for Suozzi, citing his moderate approach.
“That’s really what we need to find in this country right now. These extremes, whether it be the left or the right, is not what’s going to work. You need somebody who’s going to work with a bipartisan goal,” Clara said.
William fell on the other side of the ballot, voting for Pilip, and affirmed his dedication to sticking by party lines.
“I really don’t know that much about her, but, you know, we vote Republican, and that’s what we’re going to stick with. We want Trump,” William said.
Virginia would not disclose who she voted for, and while she made it clear she holds conservative values, she said that she wishes there was a third option.
“I think it would have been better if there had been an independent choice, because there are a lot of independents who vote and vote regularly,” Virginia said.
The winner of the special election will complete the rest of Santos’ original term, which runs until the end of this year. That Congressperson will then have to run for reelection in November to earn a full two-year term.
Queens County voters can determine their voting location by checking the New York City Board of Elections online portal, here. Early voting will take place in the timeframes listed below:
• Saturday through Monday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Feb. 8, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Feb. 9, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Feb. 10, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Feb. 11, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Nassau County voters can determine their voting location by checking the state Board of Elections online portal, here. Early voting will take place in the timeframes listed below:
• Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Monday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Feb. 8, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Feb. 9, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Feb. 10, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Feb. 11, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.