Voters cast ballots for important local races, proposals

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Voters were out bright and early to cast their ballots across Monroe County Tuesday.

News10NBC went to multiple locations to catch up with people about local races this year.

Among the local races to watch: Rochester City Council has five of its nine seats up for grabs, Irondequoit and Greece are voting for a town supervisor, and there are five Monroe County Court Judge candidates vying for three open seats.

According to the Monroe County Board of Elections, as of 7 p.m., 24% of registered voters have come out to cast their ballot. The Board of Elections said 3.23% of voters cast their ballot during early voting and of the 12,680 absentee ballots sent out, 6,951, or 54.8%, were returned.

Many of the voters we talked to said that this year’s election is crucial and urged people to participate.

"Here in Rochester, New York, which is the home of Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglas, so Rochestarians should know that voting is a privilege," said Rochester voter Rachel Laber Pulvino.

Joyce Allen, another Rochester voter, shared what brought her out.

"To ensure that the people we want in office — who is going to be there for our best interest — is there," Allen said.

Brighton voter Betty Schaeffer said, "you have a responsibility, and if you want a democracy to survive you have to be responsible for it."

Polls close at 9 p.m. Click here to find yours.