Polls are open today (Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 7 a.m.–9 p.m.) at every Nassau and Suffolk school district. 124 districts. 4 are attempting to pierce the New York State 2% tax cap (needs 60% to pass). Results come in starting around 9 p.m. — we update this page through the night.
Every Long Island school district holds its budget vote on the third Tuesday of May. This year that's Tuesday, May 19, 2026. You'll vote on:
The school portion of your property tax bill accounts for 60–75% of the total, so the budget vote is the single biggest annual tax decision Long Islanders make.
| District | County | Tax levy increase | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelter Island UFSD | Suffolk | 6.78% | Pending | shelterislandreporter.timesreview.com |
| Bayport-Blue Point UFSD | Suffolk | pierces | Pending | News 12 Long Island |
| Uniondale UFSD | Nassau | pierces | Pending | News 12 Long Island |
| Lynbrook UFSD | Nassau | 1.97% | Pending | Patch, May 5 2026 |
Results trickle in starting around 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, and most districts publish final numbers within a few hours of polls closing.
If you live in one of the four districts piercing the cap (Shelter Island, Bayport-Blue Point, Uniondale, Lynbrook), check whether the vote cleared 60%. Anything between 50% and 60% means the budget failed despite getting a majority.
If your district's budget passes:
Want a head start? Look up your district to see the median bill and which schools drive the rate:
The school budget vote sets the levy — the total amount the district has to raise from property tax. Your individual bill depends on that levy and on your assessment relative to the rest of the district.
If your October Nassau bill (or December Suffolk bill) jumps by more than the levy increase, the most likely cause is one of:
Run the diagnostic checklist to identify the exact cause. If reassessment is the culprit, file a grievance:
Anyone who is at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, and has lived in the school district for at least 30 days before the vote. Some districts ask for ID showing your address (driver's license, utility bill, voter registration card).
The district can re-submit the same budget for a second vote in June, propose a revised (typically lower) budget, or — if both attempts fail — adopt a contingency budget with no levy increase. A contingency budget usually triggers cuts to extracurriculars, athletics, field trips, and some staff.
New York's tax-levy cap law (2011) limits levy growth to 2% per year (or inflation, whichever is lower). Districts that propose to exceed that cap need 60% voter approval. Districts that stay at or under the cap pass with a simple majority.
The levy is the total dollar amount the district has to raise from property tax — set by the budget vote. The rate is the levy divided by the total taxable assessed value of all property in the district, expressed per $1,000 of assessed value. Even if the levy is capped at 2%, your rate (and your bill) can move differently based on assessment shifts.
Yes. Every district must hold a public budget hearing at least 14 days before the vote and post the full proposed budget on its website. The state-mandated Property Tax Report Card (a one-page summary of the levy increase and key numbers) is also available on each district's site.
No. You can only vote in the district where your primary residence is. Owning a property in a district doesn't give you voting rights there.
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Subscribe →Last verified: 2026-05-19. Tax rules change; we re-verify each page quarterly.
Estimates and educational content only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Verify with your county or town receiver, an attorney, or a CPA before making financial decisions.