Town Board races still undecided: Absentee ballots being counted

A full week after Islanders went to the polls, the election for Town Council is still undecided. The only clear winner is Supervisor Gerry Siller, re-elected for a second term with 693 votes.

A late write-in bid mounted by former councilman Peter Reich got substantial support — 385 write-ins were counted.

With close races almost across the board, the Suffolk County Board of Elections is looking at the absentee ballot count, which could change preliminary counts of early in-person and Election Day voting. Neither the Democrats nor the Republicans have conceded races, since 237 absentee ballots had been requested by voters. Those ballots had to be postmarked by Election Day and sent to the Board of Elections. When the final count is made, it could tip the balance in several of the local races.

According to the Board of Elections, 151 Shelter Island Democrats requested ballots against 43 Republicans. Four Island Conservative voters requested the ballots, along with 39 who registered no party affiliation.

Island GOP Chairman Gary Blados said Wednesday morning that he had not received word from the BOE, but was expecting to find out some time later in the day.

His counterpart, Democratic Chairwoman Heather Reylek, said she had made inquiries, but has received no update for Shelter Island. “It’s a complicated,” Ms. Reyelk said, “but very secure process.”

The results as of Election Day, Nov. 2:

In the election for four-year terms on the Town Board

Candidate                Party      Votes  

Brach-Williams, Amber    Republican 765 

Larsen, Margaret         Republican  681 

Surerus, Brett           Democratic 630 

Councilperson (Unexpired Term) two-year term

Candidate        Party        Votes  

Kaasik, Marcus   Republican   613    

Ianfolla, BJ     Democratic   606    

Town Clerk

Ogar, Dorothy              Republican    661

Martin Majdisova, Kristina    Democrat     587