HARLEM, New York City (WABC) — Gov. Kathy Hochul and Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman are spending the final full day before Election Day focused on turnout, making a series of campaign stops aimed at energizing supporters and driving voters to the polls.
The candidates’ final push comes after a strong early voting period. More than 690,000 ballots were cast in New York City through nine days of early voting, while statewide early voting surpassed 1.7 million votes. According to campaign officials, early voting was up 75% statewide and 65% in New York City compared with four years ago.
Hochul began Monday campaigning at subway stations in Harlem, targeting Democratic voters in New York City. She is expected to close out the campaign with a “New York Fights Back” Election Eve rally in Williamsburg alongside House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Attorney General Letitia James, lieutenant governor nominee Adrienne Adams and Comptroller Tom DiNapoli.
Blakeman, the Nassau County executive, launched a statewide tour in Bethpage before stops in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Binghamton. He is scheduled to end the day in Manhattan as Republicans look to capitalize on Election Day turnout.
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Both campaigns are concentrating their efforts in vote-rich areas, with turnout expected to play a major role in determining the outcome. While Democrats have led Republicans in early voting across New York, Republicans traditionally are more likely to cast ballots on Election Day itself.
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