SYRACUSE, NY (WRVO) - A rare Thursday primary in New York means voter turnout will likely be low, but one official thinks it will still be higher than the last state primary in September 2014.
State lawmakers this year decided on a Thursday vote because the anniverary of the 9/11 attacks and Rosh Hashana both fell on Tuesday. Onondaga County Democratic Elections Commissioner Dustin Czarny said his office did get a few calls this week from confused voters, but he doesn’t expect it to have a massive impact on turnout. Instead, he sees a more active electorate with choices in several races affecting turnout.
"I think what we’re seeing is a rededication to local elections and rededication that local primaries and elections count in the voter’s mind. At least that’s what I hope," said Czarny. "And I do think we will see a slight uptick in September from 2014."
Who is on the ballot?
There are a number of races today for a number of political parties, so your ballot will look different depending on where you live and which party you're enrolled in. Registered Democrats across the state will vote for Governor, Lt. Governor, and Attorney General, as well as a number of local races. There are a number of Republican primaries for local races as well.
Who can vote?
New York is a closed primary state. That means only those enrolled in a party can participate in a primary. The exception is the Reform Party. It allows those enrolled in its party, and anyone not enrolled in any party, to vote in its primaries.
When can you vote?
For nearly all of New York, polls open at noon today. The exception is Erie, Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, Orange and Westchster Counties, as well as New York City and Long island, where polls open at 6 a.m. Polls across the state close at 9 p.m.