If you’ve looked at this year’s local ballot and thought, “There’s nothing exciting on there, why bother?” you’re not alone. In Monsey and throughout Rockland County, this year’s election doesn’t include any high-profile races. There’s no governor, no assemblyman, no state senator, and even the few key positions being decided are running unopposed.
But here’s the catch: what happens this year directly affects how much influence our community will have next year, and that election will matter.
In 2026, voters across New York will choose a governor, members of the State Assembly and Senate, U.S. House representatives, and the State Attorney General, along with other key offices that impact our daily lives, from school funding and security grants to transportation and taxes. Campaign strategists and elected officials are already studying turnout data from 2024 and 2025 to determine which communities deserve their attention, time, and resources.
When an area shows strong turnout, even in a so-called “quiet” election, it sends a clear message:
This is an engaged community. These voters show up. Their concerns matter.
And when a community’s numbers are low, it risks being overlooked, no matter how many families, schools, or shuls it contains.
We’ve seen this play out time and again. Whether in Washington or Albany, leaders respond to active voters. Just yesterday, President Trump praised Lakewood’s Orthodox Jewish community for its strong voter turnout, proof that engagement gets noticed at the highest levels. Everyone knows who’s voting, and that awareness shapes policy, priorities, and attention.
So yes, this year’s ballot may not be thrilling. But casting your vote this week is an investment in our community’s influence. It ensures that when the big races arrive in 2026, Monsey’s numbers will command respect, and our priorities will remain on the agenda.
Vote now. Be counted. Because in politics, the communities that show up are the ones that get heard.
— Avi Goldstein
The views reflected in this letter do not necessarily represent those of Monsey Scoop. Have an opinion you would like to share? Send it to us for review.
Halevai we were overlooked as a community! There would be less accidents, less traffic, and less fires. We have gotten to a point where there is no good time to drive around Monsey or Ramapo.
Wouldn’t you like to have the state and federal funding available to address some of these issues?
Specht and his cronies are not doing anything to fix these issues. They are lining their pockets and nothing else. They don’t care about you or Monsey.
Miriam Rosenberg has agreed to be write in candidate. We are at the record in NYS for accidents and deaths from car accidents in this town of Monsey.
Isn’t that the truth? Look at the money that we spend for the town of Ramapo and the Garbage we get back they don’t do any road maintenance. They don’t do any tree maintenance. They don’t do any weed maintenance all the streets, overgrown with nature to the fullest, all they care about is their $200,000 paycheck plus all the goodies that go with it, it’s Christopher St. Lawrence with a different skin
Installing sidewalks on otherwise country and suburban roads was pretty significant for many Ramapo communities.
Accidents would be avoided if everyone followed the rules of the roads too.