SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — Early voting in the primary has had even less turnout than last year in Onondaga County, according to Elections Commissioner Dustin Czarny.
“This is a primary, so we expect very low turnout, we’re getting that,” Czarny said. “It’s an even a smaller primary than last year since not the entire county is not eligible. ”
But experienced poll workers and voters, like Janice Spencer, say that low turnout like this is is normal.
“I’ve been voting for many years, and the primary election is always low turnout, especially in our community,” Spencer said.
Czarny says the amount of people that come out is the candidates’ responsibility.
“Candidates are responsible for voter turnout not us,” he said. “We’re just here to take the votes in.”
Even though expected turnout is low, some voters are doing their part to get people to the polls, like Davona Lynch. She took it upon herself to give her own time to help people get to the polls.
“I’m trying to make a difference… transporting people here to the early voting site on my own time.”
While low voter turnout would normally be considered a bad thing, Czarny says this weekend can still see a lot more voters.
“I do know that closing weekend every time we’ve had early voting has been stronger than opening weekend,” he said. “So I expect a push at the end of early voting, how much that’ll be, I don’t know.”
Voting sites are located at the Armond Magnarelli Center, the Syracuse Community Connections Center, Lafayette Firehouse No. 1, and Camillus Firehouse. Early voting ends this Sunday. Primary day is June 22.
