Long Islanders will have a chance to vote on their next school budget but that will happen by mail, according to a statement issued on Friday by Governor Andrew Cuomo.

 

School board elections will also be similarly affected.

 

Cuomo’s executive order delays school board elections and budget votes statewide until June 9, 2020. According to the governor’s office, all qualified voters will be sent an absentee ballot with return postage paid to vote.

 

In his announcement Cuomo also said that local special district and village elections will be delayed until September 15.

 

Many school districts were in the middle of putting together their annual budgets when the Coronavirus hit and forced shutdowns. One looming question for school boards is if New York State will cut school aid, making budget season a little more uncertain.

 

Cuomo said the decision was based on a concern for the health of community members..

 

"We don't want to put New Yorkers in a situation where they are possibly putting their health at risk, so we are delaying school board elections and conducting them by mail and delaying all local special district and village elections to help limit any unnecessary exposure to this virus among both voters and poll workers,” said Cuomo.