When my Daddy and Mother voted in Texas in the 40s, 50s and 60s, there was nothing on the ballot but Democrat names...no Republican Party at all. They would go vote in every election and cross out all the names...their only means to express dissent. I am so grateful that by the time Reagan ran in 1976, and sadly lost the nomination to Ford, the fledgling Republican Party began to see the possibilities of the future. Pres. Reagan changed politics in Texas, which shows what a really strong leader can do. Now when we go vote in East Texas, there are mostly Republicans on the ballot running unchallenged. So don't give up on NY, and GO VOTE REPUBLICAN anyway. If enough do, the politicians will notice and your new residents may check out the Republican alternative to what they see in NY politics.
Oh, I definitely went and voted straight R this morning. Nothing was going to stop me from that, even though I know how the results here in lower Manhattan will be.