Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Tuesday marks the Presidential primary in New York State. Turnout is expected to be low, because both major parties' nominations have already been decided.
However, Erie County's party leaders are still urging you to cast your ballots.
Erie County Republican Chairman Michael Kracker says while the race has been over for some time, New York needs to finish the job.
"We need a strong showing for President Trump here in New York, he will still be on the ballot, along with three other challengers who have withdrawn from the race. But we want to make sure we send a message that New York is behind President Trump," said Kracker in an interview with WBEN.
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Kracker notes Trump says New York is still in play come the November general election.
But Kracker concedes turnout could be low Tuesday, based on early voting turnout.
"I think we had our druthers, we would have been able to cancel it, but the state laws have changed. There was not only a requirement to have a presidential primary, but there was a week's worth of early voting. You were getting just a few 100 early votes cast each day," said Kracker, who notes this primary is expensive because of the inspectors needed each day for early voting.
Erie County Democratic Chairman Jeremy Zellner says it's worth it to hold the primary, even though the nominations have already been decided.
"I think we have candidates that have dropped out of the race on our in our party, even the same thing with the Republican side. But the fact is that they remained on the ballot too long for us to be able to not have the primary, therefore, the state's having the primary," said Zellner in an interview with WBEN.
Zellner also concedes turnout will be low on Tuesday.
"We've seen early voting to kind of trickle in voters here-and-there, so I don't expect it to be very high," he said.
Like Kracker, Zellner urges you to exercise your right to vote.
Polls are open in Erie County from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.
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