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WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- After months of campaigning and candidate forums, voters like Steve Drago, 60, visited polling stations Tuesday to vote for three Common Council seats, one two-year Common Council term, and White Plains county legislator.
Its not a big year, but I think more people feel passionate about voting because of whats going on. People usually dont come out when things are good, said Drago, who does fundraising for Tibet. We have a great democracy and you dont make changes by complaining. You make changes at the ballot box.
Drago said he thought Democrats had stronger platforms for job creation incentives and social programs, which he thought were major concerns to voters. White Plains has 30,409 registered voters. According to the Board of Elections, 15,446 are registered with the Democratic Party, 6,891 with the Republican Party, 241 with the Conservative Party, 48 with the Working Families Party, 1,176 with the Independence Party, and 36 with the Green Party.
Some voters, including, John Sullivan, 46, thought it was time for other parties to be represented in the all-Democratic Common Council. In White Plains, we need a more well-rounded government, not a one way government, said Sullivan, a builder, who voted for candidates endorsed by both the Republican and Democratic parties. Its probably one of the first times Ive ever done that. The government has to be mixed to be balanced.
Others, such as Hannah Connors, mentioned elevated property taxes or their effect on rent rates, the citys responsiveness to residents, and parking as key considerations.
I vote Republican, especially with the issues here in White Plains. With parking, the meter maids are just waiting and waiting and waiting for your meter to expire, said Connors, who has been voting in White Plains for 50 years.
Connors echoed several voters in urging residents to vote, no matter what their party affiliation. Every vote counts and you should just go with your gut, she said.
Polling stations will be open until 9 p.m. Tuesday night. Information on where your districts polling station is located is available here.
Have you voted yet? Will you vote? What issues have influenced how you will vote? Join the conversation below.
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