Candidates in Nassau's 9th legislative district election locked in tight race as absentee ballots are counted
Democratic candidate Juleigh Chin (left) and Republican Scott Strauss, candidates for Nassau County's 9th Legislative District, were locked in a tight race Wednesday. Credit: Kathy M Helgeson
By Wednesday night, the Nassau County 9th Legislative District race remained too close to call, with Mineola Republican Scott Strauss, the incumbent, leading Roslyn Democrat Juleigh Chin in the reported vote count.
Strauss was 66 votes ahead, with 27,339 ballots counted. But the number of absentee ballots in the mail was likely to be larger than the current margin between the two, according to absentee ballot data, and it could take days before they are recorded. By law, for absentee ballots to be counted, they need to be postmarked on or before Election Day and received at the Board of Elections within seven days, or by Nov. 10.
The race’s outcome will not determine control of the legislature, where Republicans held a 10-8 majority under unofficial results from Tuesday’s voting. But if Chin wins, the Republican majority would be 10-9 in January. That would be their slimmest in more than a decade and would push off their goal of a supermajority, which would give them power to override a veto and capital borrowing without the other side.
If Chin wins, she would be Nassau’s first Asian American county legislator, a distinction Rep. Grace Meng, who won reelection to the 6th Congressional District representing central and eastern Queens, said this week would be momentous, possibly opening the door for more Asian Americans in local government. "I’m incredibly emotional when I think about this possibility," Meng, the first and only Asian American House member from New York, told Newsday.
In statements, both candidates said Wednesday that they believed a win was possible, if not imminent.
In an Instagram post Chin wrote: "There are still ballots to be counted, and we may be looking at a recount, so we’re not declaring victory just yet. But I am feeling hopeful and incredibly grateful."
In a statement from a representative, Strauss wrote: "I am gratified for the support of voters, and I am optimistic about the final outcome of my race for Nassau Legislature."
Strauss beat Chin in 2025 by a margin of more than 1,800 votes.
Frequent restroom closures irritate LIRR commuters ... Races that are too close to call ... Sitting down with 'Tulsa King' star ... Previewing Jets vs. K.C.
Frequent restroom closures irritate LIRR commuters ... Races that are too close to call ... Sitting down with 'Tulsa King' star ... Previewing Jets vs. K.C.
