FILE (Photo by Aimee Dilger / SOPA Images/Sipa USA)
NEW YORK (77WABC) — Crime-weary New Yorkers began casting ballots Saturday for the start of early voting in the hotly contested race for the next governor.
The polls opened at 9 a.m. across the Big Apple. Republican Rep. Lee Zeldin is challenging incumbent Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul at the top of the ticket.
Congressional contests are also at stake.
In Bay Ridge, where voters were also choosing between re-electing republican Rep. Nicole Malliotakis or Democrat Max Rose, the city’s rising crime rate was a deciding factor for some.
The polls will follow a varying schedule through Nov. 6. They will close for one day ahead of re-opening for election day Nov. 8.
