Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - About the only thing that may keep voters away from the polls on Tuesday is complacency. But New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, who is very adept at reading the political tea leaves, doesn't think that will happen this year, especially in Erie County where there are several high profile races.
"Don't ever call this an 'off-cycle' year," Hochul said. "It isn't."
The highest profile race is the Buffalo Mayoral contest pitting State Sen. Sean Ryan, who is the endorsed Democrat, against Republican challenger, attorney James Gardner, and independent candidate Michael Gainer.
But not to be discounted are suburban races in the towns of Amherst, Hamburg and Cheektowaga, as well as the Erie County Comptroller's contest - among others.
Hochul says voters are energized.
"It has really connected with the people," she said. "My advice to any candidate is always run like you are the underdog."
The 2021 election cycle dominated by incumbent Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown's write-in race against Democratic Party primary winner India Walton attracted approximately 38% of the Erie County-wide 635,000 registered voters.
The Erie County Board of Election is predicting somewhere around a 40% voter turnout including in-person voting and absentee ballots and that translates to more than 255,000 total votes will likely be cast by 9 p.m. Tuesday.
"People aren't complacent," said Jeremy Zellner, Erie County Board of Elections commissioner and chairman of the Erie County Democratic Party.
Democrats clearly dominate local politics.
In Erie County, there are 279,000 registered Democratic Party enrollees including 96,616 in Buffalo.
Republicans make up 162,000 registered county voters while the Conservative Party has 15,000 enrollees and the Working Families Party has 4,000 registered voters.
"People, especially this year, want to have a say," Zellner said.