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Area Republicans on Tuesday are deciding the opponents in two congressional races. In the newly drawn 27th congressional district, former Erie County Executive Chris Collins is facing Iraq War veteran David Bellavia in a matchup to challenge Democratic incumbent Kathy Hochul in the November election.
GOP voters are also determining an opponent for incumbent Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand in the race for U.S. Senate. Attorney Wendy Long, Nassau County comptroller George Maragos, and Congressman Bob Turner are on the Republican primary ballot. Turnout will be key, especially since the vote was moved to June from September.
At the Eggertsville Fire Department in Amherst -- where the ballot doesn't include the Collins-Bellavia race -- turnout has been low.
Inspector Craig Posmantur says people just don't recognize the names running to oppose Senator Kirsten Gillibrand in the U-S Senate race.
He says some voters "have turned around, saying well we don't know these people and walked right out."
As of mid-afternoon Tuesday, less than 30 people had arrived to vote -- in a district with more than 770 Republicans eligible to participate.