For early voting trend on LI, fill in the ‘blanks’

Daily Point

Reading the electoral tea leaves

In Nassau County, eyes remain focused on two main spots — the Town of North Hempstead and the City of Long Beach. Sources on both sides of the aisle told The Point Monday that it seems both are tipping Republican, as absentees and early voting showed strong Republican turnout, especially when accounting for “blanks” that could lean red.

One source called the race between North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena and former Supervisor Jon Kaiman “extraordinarily close,” noting that the early Democratic turnout isn’t as high as party insiders had hoped.

According to early voting tallies, 12,397 voters in North Hempstead turned out — with 5,054 Democrats and 4,264 Republicans. But it’s the blanks that remain the critical question mark — and observers think those undeclared voters tend to lean Republican. A total of 2,694 blanks voted during the nine days of early voting in North Hempstead.

Also worth watching is one particular town board race — the battle in North Hempstead’s District 2, where Democratic incumbent Peter Zuckerman is up against Republican newcomer Edward Scott. Sources said the redistricted town makes the 2nd District more of a toss-up — and that DeSena’s strength could carry Scott, a retired NYPD officer who’s also a water district commissioner and civic association president.

If Scott and DeSena both win, that would tip the balance of the town board, giving DeSena the Republican majority she hasn’t had for the last two years.

Others are watching North Hempstead’s District 4 — an open seat because current board member Veronica Lurvey is running to be the town’s receiver of taxes. There, Democrat Christine Liu is up against Republican James W. Gounaris. While observers say the District 4 seat is more likely to remain in Democratic hands, a red wave that carries DeSena, Scott, and county legislator Mazi Melesa Pilip, whose 10th Legislative District overlaps with…