Hundreds Vote in Greece; Turnout Better Than Expected in Special Election
By: Lauren MacDonough
Updated: May 25, 2011
Four candidates are running for the seat left empty by Chris Lee after a Craigslist scandal earlier this year: Democrat Kathy Hochul, Republican Jane Corwin, Tea Party's Jack Davis and Green Party's Ian Murphy.
Hundreds of voters have been casting their ballots at the Greece Community Center throughout the day. Generally, voter turnout is much lower for special elections like this when compared to a regular election. But it doesn't seem to be the case this time around. There are a few hot button issues in the race that are bringing people to the polls.
Voter Carolyn Licurse says, "It's just important. If we want to have a say in our government, then get out and vote or you can't complain afterwards".
A couple of subjects in particular are sticking in voters' minds: Medicare and Social Security. Voter Ed Boehme says, "I'm on social security and it's very important to me. It saves me money." Peggy Cooke says, "Many seniors depend on Social Security. They've paid into it all their working lives. And Medicare benefits: if some of those are taken away, sometimes that's the only income people have."
The tight race prompted attack ads from all candidates about these topics. Cooke says, "The only thing that I'm disappointed in is how the campaigns were run. I mean, it was just a mudslinging campaign." Boehme says, "It was a terrible campaign. Why? The phone calls I got. Come on. All hours of the night. It was ludicrous."
No matter who voters support, they agreed: they're sick of the attack ads and are ready for them to end. Cooke says, "I guess this is the best we get. I'm glad it's over."
Polls are open until 9 p.m.
Hundreds of voters have been casting their ballots at the Greece Community Center throughout the day. Generally, voter turnout is much lower for special elections like this when compared to a regular election. But it doesn't seem to be the case this time around. There are a few hot button issues in the race that are bringing people to the polls.
Voter Carolyn Licurse says, "It's just important. If we want to have a say in our government, then get out and vote or you can't complain afterwards".
A couple of subjects in particular are sticking in voters' minds: Medicare and Social Security. Voter Ed Boehme says, "I'm on social security and it's very important to me. It saves me money." Peggy Cooke says, "Many seniors depend on Social Security. They've paid into it all their working lives. And Medicare benefits: if some of those are taken away, sometimes that's the only income people have."
The tight race prompted attack ads from all candidates about these topics. Cooke says, "The only thing that I'm disappointed in is how the campaigns were run. I mean, it was just a mudslinging campaign." Boehme says, "It was a terrible campaign. Why? The phone calls I got. Come on. All hours of the night. It was ludicrous."
No matter who voters support, they agreed: they're sick of the attack ads and are ready for them to end. Cooke says, "I guess this is the best we get. I'm glad it's over."
Polls are open until 9 p.m.
