Updated: Primaries for Republican and Democratic races continue in New York

Voting continues this evening at polling locations for both Republican and Democratic primary races. According to poll workers at Owego’s Town Hall, voter turnout was slow this morning, but was expected to pick up later in the day.

At the Owego Apalachin Middle School poll site on Sheldon Guile Boulevard, poll workers said turnout had been light going into the closing hours of primary voting.

Turnout was heavier than normal in Candor, with a burst of voters in the evening. Senate challenger Denver Jones cast his vote earlier that day at the Candor Fire Hall on Route 96. Poll workers in Spencer said turnout was average for a primary.

In local races, primary voters of Tioga County have an interesting choice between Republican candidates for Coroner. Stu Bennett has been one of Tioga County’s four Coroners for the past five years, having been appointed to fill a vacant position and then winning election to the post. Opposing Bennett is Jack Manzer, with 20 years experience as a police officer.

In addition to the Manzer/Bennett race, Republican voters will also decide who will face Democrat Anndrea Starzak in the District-52 New York Senate seat race. Long-serving incumbent Tom Libous faces Candor businessman Denver Jones in the Republican primary.

While Starzak doesn’t face a primary challenge, Governor Andrew Cuomo is being challenged by Zephyr R. Teachout and Randy A. Credico for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination to face Republican Rob Astorino this November.

In the Democratic Lt. Governor primary, Kathy C. Hochul and Timothy Wu are vying for the voter’s approval. Chemung County Sheriff Christopher Moss is the Republican candidate for Lt. Governor, and does not face a primary challenge.

Polls will remain open until 9 p.m. Contact the Tioga County board of Elections at (607) 687-8261 for polling locations and more information.

To keep track of election results as they are arriving in Tioga County, visit http://tiogacountyny.com/images/stories/PDFs/departments/boe/result4.html/.