When Are School Budget Votes Held on Long Island?

Public rally outside a New York public school highlighting concerns about school funding and annual education budget decisions
Community members and elected officials gather outside a New York City public school during a rally focused on school funding and budget decisions. Public attention around education budgets typically increases in the spring, when school districts across New York State prepare for annual budget votes. On Long Island, these votes are generally held in May as part of the statewide school budget cycle.  File photo: Steve Sanchez Photos, licensed.

School budget votes are an important part of public education governance on Long Island. These votes give local residents a direct say in how much money their school district will spend the next year, what local taxes will pay for, and who will serve on the Board of Education. This page explains when these votes are typically held, how they fit into the annual cycle, and what Long Island residents should expect.

Overview: Annual Timing Across Long Island

In New York State (including Nassau and Suffolk counties), most school districts hold their annual budget vote and Board of Education election on a *consistent date each year:

  • The vote normally occurs on the third Tuesday in May.

This applies to:

  • Nassau County school districts
  • Suffolk County school districts
  • Union free districts
  • Central school districts

This statutory timing helps standardize the process across districts, although local details like hours and polling locations vary by district.

Example recent dates:

Why the Vote Is Held in May

State law sets the general timeframe for budget votes to fall in the spring so that:

  • Budget outcomes are known before the next fiscal year begins
  • Voter registration and notification deadlines can be met
  • Budget information is publicly available for a reasonable period before voting

The third Tuesday in May is a long-standing convention across most New York school districts. Districts may request to hold the vote on the second Tuesday in May instead if the third Tuesday conflicts with certain religious observances, but this is relatively rare.

Common Annual School Budget Vote Schedule

While specific dates vary by district, the general cycle is:

  1. Budget development: Winter–early spring
  2. Public budget hearings: Often held several weeks before the vote
  3. Budget distribution and legal notices: Published in local newspapers and online in the weeks leading up to the vote
  4. School budget vote & Board of Education election: Typically third Tuesday of May
  5. Revote if necessary: If the budget fails, a revote may occur later (often in June) at a date set by individual districts or specified by statute

Many districts hold some combination of public presentations, hearings, and informational meetings in April and early May so voters understand the proposed budget before casting ballots.

What the Vote Involves

On voting day, district residents typically vote on:

  • The proposed annual school budget
  • Board of Education members
  • Sometimes additional propositions (e.g., specific capital projects)

Polls are usually open for several hours, often in the morning through early evening. For example, in 2025 one Long Island district set voting hours from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on budget vote day.

Voter Registration and Eligibility

To vote in a school budget election on Long Island, you generally must:

  • Be a resident of the school district
  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Be a registered voter either with the district or with the county Board of Elections
    Districts often allow voter registration up until a few weeks before the vote, with deadlines varying by location.

Some districts allow registration with the county Board of Elections so that voters can participate in budget votes and other local elections.

Revotes and Annual Contingencies

If a school budget fails to pass on the first vote, many districts have a second vote (revote) scheduled a few weeks later — often in June. These dates are set by statute or by district decision, and the precise timing can vary

Typical Examples on Long Island

Here are a few recent examples of budget vote timing in Long Island districts:

  • Roslyn School District: Budget vote on May 20, 2025
  • East Islip Union Free School District: Annual budget vote set for May 20, 2025.
  • Bay Shore Union Free School District: Budget vote scheduled for Tuesday, May 20, 2025 with voter registration earlier in the month.

These reflect the common pattern centered around the third Tuesday in May each year.

How to Stay Updated

Because districts must publish legal notices and budget information ahead of time, the best ways to keep up with exact dates include:

  • Visiting your local district’s website
  • Checking the district clerk page for budget notices
  • Reviewing legal notices in local newspapers
  • Contacting your Board of Education or county Board of Elections

In Summary

  • Most school budget votes on Long Island are held on the third Tuesday in May each year.
  • These votes determine whether proposed school budgets – and often board members – are approved.
  • Public hearings, voter registration, and legal notices occur in the weeks leading up to the vote.
  • If a budget fails, a revote in June is common.

This predictable timing allows residents to plan participation and ensures communities have a clear voice in school funding decisions.