New Online Tool Helps Voters Navigate Upcoming Special Elections

Story By Rich Jacques

An interactive, online tool has been introduced to help Long Island voters navigate the 158 special district elections taking place December 10.

Introduced Monday, the Long Island Index, a new online device enables users in Nassau and Suffolk counties to enter their address and learn which special districts serve them, when elections will take place and information about their polling location and the hours that polls are open. 

A project of the Rauch Foundation, the tool may be used free of charge online at mydistricts.longislandindexmaps.org.

The new device lists 665 government entities including special districts, providing basic services such as fire, police, sanitation, water, schools, and libraries. It lets voters know in which of the special district elections they are eligible to vote — in some cases, it can be can be more than one.

The online tool is the latest feature offered by the Long Island Index’s interactive map of government service providers.

According to the site, in December there are fire district elections in Syosset and water district elections in Jericho.

“Long Island is unique in having so many government entities, and it makes it hard for Long Islanders to know when and where to vote,” said Ann Golob, director of the Long Island Index. “This new online tool simplifies the process.”

A Long Island-based family foundation, the Rauch Foundation invests in ideas and organizations that spark and sustain early success in children and systemic change in our communities. The Foundation was established in 1961 by Louis Rauch and Philip Rauch, Jr. Funding for the Foundation was made possible by the success of the Ideal Corporation, an auto parts manufacturer founded in 1913 by their father, Philip Rauch, Sr.