MID-HUDSON – Voter turnout in the Mid-Hudson Valley today appears to be heavy.
As of 1 p.m., turnout in Dutchess County was 38 percent, “and we still have eight more hours to go,” said Republican Elections Commissioner Erik Haight.
Lori Byrnes, a City of Poughkeepsie voter cast her ballot at Krieger Elementary School on Tuesday. From the time she got on line until the time she voted, it took 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Byrnes and other voters questioned the legality of a woman actively campaigning for Karen Smythe. The campaigner told those on line that she was more than 100 feet from the polling place which is legal.
“The staff was pleasant and the overall vibe was good,” Byrnes said. “People were friendlier than I expected and there was no political talk while I was there. There were quite a few first time voters which I thought was cool.”
The Andy Murphy Midtown Neighborhood Center on Broadway in Kingston was busy in the early morning hours At lunch time a handful of people trickled in. Election officials expect to get crowded after 3 p.m.
Voters in Monroe didn’t waste any time. They were lined up for blocks at 6 a.m.
It was a different story in Monticello as just a handful of people showed up to vote at the government center when the doors opened this morning.
