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JAMESTOWN – Voters across New York are casting their ballots today as part of the Gubernatorial Primary election in the Empire State.
While voter turnout was expected to increase following the unprecedented Supreme Court Decision to overturn Roe V. Wade, however when early voting ballots and today’s tally so far are added together, only around 2,300 ballots were cast out of the 51,000 eligible voters locally.
So far Tuesday, turnout has been slow to trickle in, with polling sites from Dunkirk to Jamestown continuing to report lower than average turnout since opening at 6 a.m.
On the ballot for Democrats is Governor Kathy Hochul, U.S. House Representative Tom Suozzi and New York City’s Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.
Hochul was propelled from the Lieutenant Governor position following Andrew Cuomo’s resignation amid sexual harassmment allegations last year.
Since then, the Democratic front-runner has had a hard time finding a running mate. Brian Benjamin resigned in April following his arrest on federal corruption charges, which he has denied.
Stepping in his place was Antonio Delgado, who faces Ana María Archila and Diana Reyna in the race for Lieutenant Governor.
As for GOP voters, Rob Astorino, Andrew Giuliani, Harry Wilson and U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin are on the ticket.
The frontrunner in the Republican contest is Zeldin, who has the endorsement of the state’s Republican Party and Conservative Party.
Zeldin, an Army Reserve lieutenant colonel who has represented eastern Long Island in Congress since 2015, is a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump and was among the Republicans who voted against certifying the 2020 election results.
New York operates under what’s known as a “Closed Primary System” which means only those registered for a political party, Democrat or Republican, can participate in the primary election.
Full voting for the two victors tonight will take place this fall.
Polls remain open through 9 p.m. tonight. Those with questions about where to cast their ballots, and if they are registered with a party to vote, can learn more online at VoteChautauqua.com.
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