What would normally be a quiet day at the polls for a small village election is getting intense focus one week after Sea Cliff resident and founder of the snack company Pirate's Booty, Robert Ehrlich, attempted to take over village hall.

Today, he is pushing forward with a write-in campaign for Sea Cliff mayor as the current mayor, Elena Villafane, seeks to defend her seat in what is an unopposed race on paper.

"I have our own election happening right now," Ehrlich said showing off ballots on regular printer paper at his restaurant in Sea Cliff. "We've been out since six this morning and we have a huge lead. The exit polls are showing everybody in favor of me. I will be mayor later on tonight."

Things took off last week when according to village officials Ehrlich and three other men tried to overthrow the local government at the village hall.

Ehrlich is accused of asserting his authority as mayor, demanding access to office space and declaring that the entire village staff was fired effective immediately.

Nassau County police responded to the incident before the men left without any arrests, according to law enforcement officials.

Ehrlich claimed he used a little-known state law called The Citizen Empowerment Act to form a new village by collecting enough signatures.

He said he is the mayor of the Incorporated Village of Sea Cliff Residents.

Today, Ehrlich once again said he was the rightful mayor of his own entity that would replace the current village government.

Sea Cliff Mayor Elena Villafane said she was caught off guard by Ehrlich's actions but hopes her political experience will help her rise above it all.

"I welcome the dialogue, but I don't know that this helps our residents doing it in this sort of unorthodox fashion," Villafane said.

She said she is focused on updating the village's zoning codes and recently completed Sea Cliff's longterm plan.

"When you live in a little village like this this is you know, government at its closest," she said. "It is truly local government."

The situation has spread like crazy throughout the one square mile village on Long Island's north shore.

"It feels like we're really making a decision here rather than just doing our civic duty," Sea Cliff resident Rick Geismar said.

"Whatever happens is going to be for the betterment of the community and if everyone can talk and get along and see how it goes, I'm all for that," another Sea Cliff voter added.

According to state election law, only officially issued ballots submitted at a certified polling site will count toward the final tally.

Ehlrich added he would not accept the results of the certified election if he lost.

"I'm still mayor of the second entity," he said. "The Resident Empowerment Act allows for two entities to then either merge or dissolve one of them so this continues. This movement just got started."

In addition to Villafane, James Versocki and Mark Sobel are running unopposed to retain their trustee seats.

Polls open from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Sea Cliff Department of Public Works building at 66 Altamont Ave.