New Yorkers brave heavy snow to vote in special election to replace ex-Rep. George Santos

• Voters in New York's 3rd Congressional District are casting ballots to pick the successor to Republican ex-Rep. George Santos.
• Democratic candidate Tom Suozzi is facing off against Republican Mazi Pilip in a special election to fill the vacant seat.
• Both parties have poured millions into the district, which could have a major impact on the balance of power in the House of Representatives.
• Turnout expectations appear to be dampened by heavy snowfall that has blanketed roads and the parking lots of polling sites.

New Yorkers are casting ballots Tuesday to pick their successor to Republican ex-Rep. George Santos, who was expelled from Congress last year under a cloud of scandals and criminal charges.

Democrat Tom Suozzi, who previously represented New York's 3rd Congressional District, is facing off against Republican Mazi Pilip, in a special election to fill the seat left vacant by Santos' ouster.

Polls show a tight race between Suozzi and Pilip in the district, which covers parts of Long Island and Queens.

The race could have a major impact on the balance of power in Congress, but turnout expectations appear to be dampened by heavy snowfall that has blanketed roads and the parking lots of polling sites.

At the national level, both parties are pouring millions of dollars into the contest, but Democrats have spent twice as much as Republicans on advertising — $13 million in total over just 10 weeks, according to The New York Times.

Democrats might typically hold an advantage in a special election to replace a disgraced Republican who has been denounced by his own party. At a glance, the 3rd District might even look like an ideal battleground for Democrats, who have recently made strong advances in American suburbs.

But