Heavy Turnout in New York Congressional Election
By THOMAS KAPLANTurnout appeared fairly strong for the special election in western New York State?s 26th Congressional district on Tuesday, officials said. But it was not immediately clear which of the candidates, if any, would benefit from the high degree of voters? interest in the race.
In Riga, N.Y., a small farming town in Monroe County, 200 people turned out to vote by 9:30 a.m., which polling officials said would be a larger-than-usual turnout for a general election, let alone a special contest.
Just down the New York Thruway at a polling place in Batavia, more than 150 people had voted as of mid-morning. ?It?s definitely a good turnout so far,? said Harriet Worthington, a poll worker there. ?I think the campaigns and the television ads really made people want to get out and vote.?
In Erie County, the Board of Elections commissioner, Dennis E. Ward, said that by 11 a.m., about 10 percent of voters had turned out. While he said that was high for a special election, he estimated total voter turnout would not eclipse 50 percent.
?This is based on anecdotal evidence,? Mr. Ward said. ?It?s a little higher than normal, but nothing astronomical.?
Special elections are often sleepy affairs, with only the most engaged voters making the trek to polling stations. But the race in the 26th District ? between Jane L. Corwin, the Republican candidate; her Democratic opponent, Kathy Hochul; and Jack Davis, who is running with Tea Party support ? has become a national fascination, with some political observers suggesting it could be a bellwether for Congressional races next year.
The candidates, party organizations and outside groups altogether spent more than $6 million on advertising in the run-up to Tuesday?s election, which may explain the relatively high interest.
But what that high interest will translate into, in terms of votes, is hard to discern. If turnout is strong across the board, Ms. Corwin would likely stand to benefit, since Republicans have a large registration advantage in the district. Ms. Hochul, for her part, would be in a particularly strong position if voters in Erie County, where she is county clerk, turn out in high numbers.
The campaigns, for their part, spent Tuesday afternoon urging voters to head to the polls. Around midday, more than a dozen volunteers sat scattered throughout Ms. Corwin?s campaign headquarters. Some made phone calls encouraging voters to head to the polls, while others were using laptop computers, sending e-mails to supporters reminding them to vote.
Meanwhile, other volunteers spent the day canvassing for Ms. Corwin in the suburbs of Buffalo and Rochester. ?Our goal is 18,000 doors today,? said Matthew Harakal, a campaign spokesman.
Among the volunteers going door to door for Ms. Corwin on Tuesday afternoon was Brian Polner, 55, a small business owner from Clarence, who was canvassing in the affluent Buffalo suburb of Amherst. He and other volunteers traveled in twos and fours, leaving door hangers and fliers telling residents of their polling places. ?I think more people should get involved,? Mr. Polner said.
Nicholas Mattera and Michael D. Regan contributed reporting.
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Heavy Turnout in New York Congressional Election
Turnout seems relatively strong in a special Congressional election in western New York State, though it is unclear which candidate would stand to benefit the most.
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Source: http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/24/heavy-turnout-in-new-york-congressional-election/
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