SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — “Hi. I’m Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. I brought donuts.”
New York’s Lieutenant Governor walked into the polling place at the Southwest Community Center in Syracuse at 2:00 on Wednesday, carrying a large box of Dunkin Donuts, thanking volunteers helping with early voting.
Kathy Hochul is making stops around New York State to promote early voting in the days leading up to the election.
“This is Central New York. I wanted to send a message to this community, a community I know so well having been a student here, that your voices matter. We have important races,” the 1980 SU grad told reporters.
One of those important races she was referencing is the widely covered race for the NY-24 congressional seat, where Democrat Dana Balter is challenging Republican incumbent John Katko.
“It’s very competitive,” Hochul said.
Early voting in New York State began on Sunday, and there have been record turnouts across the board.
“I find this incredible. That nearly a million New Yorkers have voted early already…the lines I’ve seen, it’s like a party. People are enthusiastic, they are proud to vote.”
A lot of effort and planning went into making in-person voting possible this fall during the coronavirus pandemic. Across the state, including at the Community Center on Wednesday, all precautions are being taken.
“Everyone wants to make sure that they are protected when they show up to vote,” the Lieutenant Governor said. “Everyone is wearing a mask…people are being really smart about it. I couldn’t be more proud of New Yorkers.”
Along with early voting, a lot more people are submitting absentee ballots. Hochul is encouraging those who have already received ballots to them in as soon as possible.
“Don’t want until the last minute. You have to make sure it’s postmarked early enough, to make sure it’s counted.”
She’s happy that voters can make their voices heard, and also stay safe.
“We knew a lot of people would be anxious about showing up in person either at early voting or on election day.”
Here in Onondaga County, Board of Elections Commissioner Dustin Czarney told NCC News that he expects over 60,000 people to vote early, shattering the record. Lt. Governor Hochul pointed out that this is happening not just in the Empire State, but all around the country.
“We’re gonna crush the records this year. This is a year we are going to look back on and say everything changed in 2020.”
