(Editor's Note: The election numbers contained in this article are not official results.)

Residents headed for the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 4 - Election Day 2003 - to vote for their candidates of choice. The results are as follows:

Town of Oyster Bay

In the Town of Oyster Bay, residents returned incumbent Supervisor John Venditto to a fourth term in office. Venditto, who ran on the Republican, Conservative, Independence and Working Families Party lines, received 35,427 votes while his challenger, Democrat Alexander Sklavos, received 19,889.

Venditto said that preserving the suburban character of the town's neighborhoods is his highest priority. He also lists protecting and enhancing the environment and recreation facilities for future generations as another high priority this term.

Residents of Oyster Bay Town also voted for three of six candidates for Town Board. The two incumbent Republicans, Joseph Muscarella and Anthony Macagnone, were re-elected while Rose Walker, a political newcomer, defeated Bonnie Eisler, the Democratic incumbent. The numbers were as follows: Muscarella - 31,121; Macagnone - 29,620; Walker - 29,462; Eisler - 24,545; Gary Burke (D) - 23,134; and Lawrence Weiss - 22,518. In addition to the Republican line, Macagnone, Muscarella and Walker ran on the Independence, Conservative and Working Families Party lines.

Challenger Steve Labriola, current New York State Assemblyman of the 12th Assembly District, defeated Oyster Bay Town Clerk Martha Offerman, the Democratic incumbent. Labriola, a Republican, garnered 29,882 votes to Offerman's 23,975. A special election will be held early next year to fill Labriola's seat in the assembly.

Receiver of Taxes James Stefanich held onto his seat after going neck and neck with challenger, Republican John Canning. Stefanich, the Democratic incumbent, received 27,272 votes to Canning's 26,818.

The Democrats held onto their 10-9 majority in the Nassau County Legislature with close victories in some key districts. The Democrats lost one incumbent, Michael Zapson, who lost to Republican Denise Ford in the fourth district, but picked up two open seats with victories in the 14th and 18th Legislative Districts.

Residents who live in the 14th District elected a new legislator, as incumbent Salvatore B. Pontillo did not seek re-election. Democrat Dave Mejias defeated Republican Greg Carman in a very tight race, receiving 6,106 votes to Carman's 5,725.

Mejias said he is concerned with environmental issues and bringing good jobs to the community. He also plans to work with the county executive to put an end to political patronage in county government and to better the quality of life for all residents of Nassau County.

In the 16th Legislative District, residents overwhelmingly supported Democratic incumbent Judy Jacobs, presiding officer of the legislature with 9,550 votes to Republican candidate Patricia Doyle's 4,464 votes.

"I am deeply honored and humbled by the ongoing support of my constituents. Their trust in me and my ability to help Nassau County turn the corner toward financial stability is vitally important to my individual goals and the greater goals of the administration and Democratic majority. I am confident that we will continue to make strides toward fiscal solvency and that residents will again be proud to be a part of this great county," said Jacobs. "Nassau County residents can again hold their heads up high. I will continue to ensure we never take a step back to the way things were. We have come too far."

As Democrats gathered at the Garden City Hotel to celebrate their victory, County Executive Thomas Suozzi praised Presiding Officer Jacobs for her work, which has helped move the county forward. He added that Legislator Jacobs will continue in her capacity as presiding officer for the next two years.

In the 17th Legislative District, Edward P. Mangano, the Republican incumbent, defeated Democratic challenger Linda Burns-Gleason. Mangano received 8,348 votes to Burns-Gleason's 3,789.

Mangano, a resident of Bethpage, said that he will continue to address those issues affecting his district as a whole, including open space preservation, economic development, job creation and brownfield restoration.

Also in a very tight race this year were the two candidates for county assessor. On Tuesday, voters elected Democrat Harvey Levinson over Republican incumbent Charles O'Shea. Levinson received 107,338 votes while O'Shea received 106,102.