Elections officials are reminded voters that Primary Day is next week, a big change from the past several decades. The primary date was changed from September to June as part of an election reform package approved in Albany in January. This year, it's June 25.
In a news conference Monday, Erie County Board Elections Democratic Commissioner Jeremy Zellner noted the primary has been held in September in New York since 1969.
"In many cases, this is the election," Zellner said, referring to races where there is no opposition from another party.
"Many of these races will be decided one week from tomorrow. There is council races, there's county legislature races. People really need to go out and express their voice."
Zellner says absentee ballots are available at the Board of Elections in downtown Buffalo. The board will be open late, until 7 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday this week. Polls on Primary Day will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Zellner says the move should save taxpayer dollars by not having to hold separate federal and state primaries.
Early voting in New York state will start with the general election in November. The 2020 presidential primary will be held seperately in April.