Early voting begins in Monroe County

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Early voting is underway in Monroe County.

Saturday was the first day people could get out and cast a ballot. Monroe County Board of Elections says a little over 1,200 voted on the first day. The poll site that saw the highest amount of ballots was the Irondequoit Public Library, with 224 voters.

There are 14 polling sites around the county, and as long as you are registered to vote, you can walk into any of them. The votes are for local elections. Some of those positions on the ballot this year include the mayor, city council and some local judges.

Board of Elections officials say this is the third year New York State has participated in early voting. Voters around the area explain why voting at the local level is crucial.

"People don’t recognize how important voting on a year like this is because these are the people that are going to affect your streets and your community,” said Emily Brzac from the Irondequoit Board of Elections.

"It’s always ground up, citizens first, so if you want citizens to have a voice you need to have them vote at local levels,” said Lloid Peasley, a registered voter.

If you did not make it out over the weekend to vote, don’t worry. Early voting goes until Oct. 31, and the elections are on Nov. 2.

Here is a complete listing of site locations and times, per Monroe County:

• David F. Gantt Community Center (700 North St, Rochester, NY 14605)
• Boys & Girls Club (500 Genesee St, Rochester, NY 14611)
• Sibley Square (250 E Main St, Rochester, NY 14604)
• Edgerton Recreation Center (41 Backus St, Rochester, NY 14608)
• Norton Village Recreation Center (350 Waring Rd, Rochester, NY 14609)
• SUNY Empire State College (680 Westfall Rd, Rochester, NY 14620)
• Town of Chili Senior Center (3235 Chili Ave, Rochester, NY 14624)
• North Greece Road Church of Christ (1039 N Greece Rd, Rochester, NY 14626)
• Henrietta Public Library (625 Calkins Rd, Rochester, NY 14623)
• Irondequoit Public Library (1290 Titus Ave, Rochester, NY 14617)
• PCC Community Room (1985 Baird Rd, Penfield, NY 14526)
• Perinton Square Mall (6720 Pittsford Palmyra Rd, Fairport, NY 14450)
• Sweden Clarkson Community Center (4927 Lake Rd, Brockport, NY 14420)
• Webster Library (980 Ridge Rd, Webster, NY 14580)

All Early Voting locations above will be open on the following dates and times:

• Saturday, Oct. 23 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 24 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Monday, Oct. 25 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 26 11 a.m. -8 p.m.
• Wednesday, Oct. 27 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 28 11 a.m. -8 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 29 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 30 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 31 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.