A look at a map of Long Island’s 2024 presidential election results reveals a sea of red. That’s unsurprising, as Donald Trump captured 55% of the vote in Suffolk County and 51% in Nassau County.
But interspersed amongst that red expanse are pockets of blue, each with its own story to tell.
One of these stories is that of Long Island’s Jewish vote, which has emerged as deeply divided along ethnic and sectarian lines.
A Divided Jewish Vote
Long Island is home to an estimated 300,000 Jews.
Pre-election polls conducted by Siena College and other organizations suggested Trump would win Long Island’s Jewish vote, securing just over 50% of support within the community.
Analysis of voting patterns at a neighborhood level in Long Island reveals how different Jewish communities voted in 2024.
Great Neck’s Red-Blue Divide
The northern part of Great Neck, an area with a significant Orthodox and Iranian Jewish population, showed overwhelming support for Trump, with precincts recording as much as 89.9% of the vote in his favor.
In contrast, Great Neck Plaza, a neighborhood with older Ashkenazi Jewish residents living in condos, leaned heavily toward Harris, who captured up to 68.9% of the vote in some districts.
Plainview vs. Cedarhurst
In Plainview, a predominantly Ashkenazi Jewish community, Harris garnered up to 65.8% of the vote.
However, on Nassau’s South Shore, in Woodmere and Cedarhurst — areas with large Orthodox Jewish populations — Trump dominated, securing as much as 90% of the vote.
This divide mirrors patterns seen in New York City, where neighborhoods like Park Slope and the Upper West Side supported Harris, while Midwood and other Orthodox Jewish areas heavily favored Trump.
Looking Ahead
These results illustrate that there is no singular “Jewish vote.” Religion and national origin significantly influence electoral behavior within the Jewish community.
As the demographic composition of the Jewish population evolves, it’s likely that Sephardic and Orthodox Jews will continue consolidating as a key part of the Republican Party’s base, not just in Nassau County but also nationwide.
Recommended reading: Long Island’s Jewish Community