Tuesday is primary day across New York state, a chance for voters to make their voices heard at the polls.
Around the Capital Region, most voters came out on Tuesday recognizing their vote in a primary only sets up what’s to come in November. But they said their vote carries as much weight as it will on Election Day, which this year, falls on Nov. 5.
“I just want to get my one vote,” Albany County voter William Curtis Wilkins said.
On this primary day, congressional, state Assembly and Senate seats, as well as district attorney races, and others fill ballots across the state.
“There are a lot of great people that are running, and I’m impressed with the ballot,” Wilkins said.
Charles Lossi is also an Albany County voter.
“I’m very glad we do have a primary because this way, we can pick and choose who we really want,” Lossi said.
Poll workers around the Capital Region described turnout as steady.
“I registered probably a week before the deadline,” said Dominic, a first-time voter. “I did it by myself online. It was an easy process, and I’m very happy I did it.”
He had a number of issues in mind when casting his ballot.
“Safety, neighborhoods being safer, people having more opportunities is more important. I think that is my biggest thing,” he said.
And while there were no presidential candidates on the ballots, the race for the White House was at the top of minds.
“The presidency is number one for me,” Lossi said. “I’m not going to tell you who I’m going to vote for, but there is one in particular I’m not going to vote for.”
Voting is a civic duty he and others don’t take lightly.
“Gotta keep America strong, that’s the only way. We have a vote, everybody has a vote,” Lossi said.
