ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Election Day is underway and thousands of people across the region are casting their ballots. The presidential race and many key local races are on the ballot this year. Polls are open until 9 p.m.

News10NBC asked voters at East High School, one of the county’s 213 polling sites, about why voting is important to them.

Holden Miller votes in the election every year, not just in presidential years. “It’s your time to say something. It might not be always what you want it to be but at least you had your say.”

One voter, Suzana Macowski, brought her 9-year-old daughter with her to vote before school started. Macowski said she wants to teach her daughter that voting is a key part of the Democratic process. “All our voices need to be heard,” she said.

Her daughter, Catarina Waddell, added, “every vote matters.”

Macowski spoke about what brought her to the polls. “Keeping this democracy alive and ensuring the future of this wonderful girl and her rights and her voice. And respect and integrity. And what this country stands for – this fabulous country.”

Mary Hunt also brought her daughter, 4.

“When I was young I always went with my parents to vote. And I really enjoyed doing it with them. It was pretty special and we’ve talked a lot about the election and voting and how important it is, so just having her come with me has been really nice — and important for her too.”

News10NBC was also at the Victor Town Hall polling location in Ontario County. We break down some statistics on how Republicans fare on the ballot compared to Democrats:

What races are on the ballot this year?

The race between Vice President Kamala Harris and Former President Donald Trump is on the minds of many, with the final NBC News survey showing the candidates neck-and-neck.

But all 435 U.S. House seats are also up for grabs. In the 25th district — which includes all of Monroe County and some of Orleans County — it will be a battle between incumbent Joe Morelle (D) and challenger Gregg Sadwick (R). In the 24th district — which includes all or parts of Wayne, Ontario, Livingston, Genesee, Wyoming, Yates, and Orleans counties — Claudia Tenney (R) is the incumbent. David Wagenhauser (D) is her challenger.

There are also 34 of the 100 U.S. Senate seats up for grabs. In New York State, Republican Michael Sapraicone (R) is challenging incumbent Kirsten Gillibrand (D).

There are also many key local races including for judges, New York State Senate, and New York State Assembly. You can also see a sample ballot with a list of races and candidates on the website for your county’s Board of Elections:

• Click here for Monroe County
• Click here for Ontario County
• Click here for Wayne County
• Click here for Livingston County
• Click here for Yates County
• Click here for Orleans County
• Click here for Genesee County

Some candidates, like both presidential candidates, appear twice on the same ballot under different parties. Voters should only fill out one circle in each column, using a blue or black pen.

On Election Day, you must vote at your designated polling location. You can check your polling location on your county’s Board of Elections website.

How many people have voted already?

There are about 500,000 registered voters in Monroe County and 133,000 of those voted early – a record-breaking number according to the county Board of Elections. Also, 5% of those voted by mail and returned their ballots.

The Monroe County Board of Elections predicts that 210,000 or more people may vote on Election Day.

How to learn more about the candidates’ stances

As part of News10NBC’s election coverage, we offered two minutes of free airtime to each major party candidate to make their case to you. The rules are each candidate gets two minutes, no editing, no advice given to candidates, and each candidate only gets one take. Not everyone took the offer. You can see the candidates’ responses here.

What propositions are on the ballot?

Every voter across New York State will have Proposition One on the back of their ballot. The proposition seeks to expand the state’s Equal Rights Amendment by adding ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, and other attributes. You can learn more and hear about people for and against the proposition here.

Voters in the Town of Greece will have a second proposition to consider as well. It relates to who gets to decide who leads if the town supervisor or any of the town board members can no longer do their job. You can hear from both sides here.  

Who can you call if you experience issues?

Law enforcement departments across the area will give special attention to polling places to make sure people feel safe. If you have any issues, there are things you can do.

The Monroe County Board of Elections says to first ask for a site manager at your polling site if you run into issues. If they can’t help with your issue, they’ll take it to the next level.

To report voter intimidation, call the New York State Attorney General’s Election Protection Hotline at (866) 390-2992. To report campaign code violations, contact the New York State Board of Elections Counsel at (518)-474 6367.