Early Voting Polls Open for Gubernatorial Primary and other Elections
By Yehudit Garmaise
Early voting, which started yesterday, is in full swing as New Yorkers begin to cast their votes to determine the Democratic and Republican candidates who will run against each other on Tuesday, Nov. 8.
In addition, New Yorkers now can cast their votes for 10 Assembly seats, lieutenant governor, and district leaders.
New Yorkers, who can also vote by absentee ballot, can cast their early votes in-person until June 26.
New York’s Primary Election is quickly approaching on Tuesday, June 28.
Gov. Kathy Hochul, who stepped into the role as the state’s governor just weeks after her predecessor announced his resignation in disgrace on August 10, 2021, is fending off challenges from U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-3rd) and NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.
Vying for the Republican nomination are U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-1st), former Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, businessman Harry Wilson and Andrew Giuliani, who served as as a special assistant to former President Donald Trump.
While Democrats far outnumber Republicans in New York, the state’s skyrocketing crime rates, bail reform failures, and ever-increasing costs of living, may persuade voters to choose a Republican candidate: all four of which have said they would cut spending, reduce taxes, and come down much harder on criminals.
On the Democratic side, Gov. Hochul, who was endorsed by the New York Times, the NY Daily News, and Mayor Eric Adams, leads the pack in fundraising and is considered the frontrunner.
Republicans favor US Rep Zeldin, who overwhelming won the support of the state’s GOP.
Zeldin, who represents Long Island, is Jewish, served in Iraq as a member of the US Army, and has raised the most money.
After a NY Supreme Court Judge Patrick McAllister threw out NY Democrats’ gerrymandered districts, he hired independent special master Jonathan Cervas to redraw the maps under his supervision.
As a result, the primary election for the state Senate and US House of Representatives had to be postponed until August 23.