By Grayce Wilson and Madiou Bah
MINOA, N.Y. (NCC News) — Voters came to St. Mary’s Center in Minoa at a steady pace throughout Election Day, with no long lines.
Though Onondaga County Board of Elections reported 58,418 early voting check-ins through Nov. 1, many voters ultimately chose to cast their ballots in person on Election Day.
“My wife and I always do the research, so we go online and we find out everyone’s beliefs and policies, and we’ll look every year, that way we’re prepared, and we know who we want to vote for,” said Brian O’Reilly, 34, of Minoa.
O’Reilly described himself as “down the middle” politically and said he votes on policy, not party.
Early voting began on Oct. 24 and ran nine days. County officials say they won’t know whether overall turnout is higher this year until Election Day ends.
For some, voting in person is a deliberate choice. Spenser Lewis, of Minoa, said she prefers it over mailing a ballot because it feels more real. She likes watching her ballot go into the machine and seeing the thank-you message.
“It’s more of an event,” she said.
Minoa is also part of the Onondaga County Legislature’s 10th District, which covers Manlius, Fayetteville and Minoa. The district has 6,228 registered Democrats, 5,033 registered Republicans and 6,212 unaffiliated voters, according to the New York State Board of Elections.
Edmond Theobald, the Republican candidate for the seat, also voted at St. Mary’s Center. He is a former Manlius town supervisor challenging Democratic incumbent Elaine Denton, who is seeking a second term.
Theobald said a close race of his own shaped how he thinks about voting. When he first ran for town supervisor, he said, he won by 37 votes out of about 9,000 cast. “Your vote counts,” he said. He added that residents he met door to door raised local concerns such as budgets and taxes.