Decision 2024: Polls open for primary day; Here’s your guide to key races

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Polls have opened for primary election day on Tuesday. As of noon, about 3,600 people have cast their ballots in Monroe County.

That includes 2,990 people in the City of Rochester, 317 people in Brighton, 224 in Gates, and 66 in Irondequoit. The primary follows nine days of early voting in Monroe County where just over 1,900 people cast their ballots.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. You can check on your polling location here. In Monroe County, only Democrats have a primary in 2024.

There are some highly anticipated races this year, including whether former mayor Lovely Warren will defeat Michael Geraci to become the Democratic nominee for Rochester City Court judge.

The primary will also decide whether New York State Assembly Member Demond Meeks will keep his seat or if Rochester City Council member Willie Lightfoot will become the Democratic nominee. Just outside of Rochester, for the 24th Congressional District that includes much of the Finger Lakes region, the primary will decide whether Rep. Claudia Tenney will take the Republican nomination over her challenger, Geneva native Mario Fratto.

To vote in the primary, you’ll need to be registered with a political party, unlike for the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 5. News10NBC has your guide to the primary including who’s on your ballot:

What is the Primary Election?

The primary is when candidates of the same party run against each other to determine who will be on the ballot for the general election in November. That’s why you must be both registered to vote and be registered with a political party.

You can learn about registering for a party on the Monroe County Board of Elections website here. You can see if you’re registered for a party, see your election day polling location, or update your registration here.

Which races are there in Monroe County?

Former mayor Lovely Warren is running against Michael Geraci for Rochester City Court judge. Warren, who resigned as mayor back in 2021, announced in March that she would run.

In addition, Rochester City Council member Willie Lightfoot is running against incumbent Demond Meeks for the 137th district of the New York State Assembly. Lightfoot, who also served as a county legislator for ten years, announced that he would run in October of 2023. Meeks has served as an assembly member since the fall of 2020.

You can see the list of races and candidates in Monroe County here:

What to know about the 24th Congressional District race

Geneva native Mario Fratto is challenging Rep. Claudia Tenney for the Republican nomination for the 24th Congressional District. The district includes all of Cayuga, Wayne, Seneca, Yates, Ontario, Livingston, Wyoming, and Genesee counties and parts of other counties. This race is a rematch of the primary two years ago.

Having problems voting?

Staffers at the Office of the Attorney General’s Election Protection Hotline can help voters troubleshoot and resolve a range of issues they may encounter when they go to cast their bllot. Call the hotline at (866) 390-2992 or submit a complaint online.