‘Get out the vote’ rallies held in Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — With early voting wrapping up and Election Day just days away, both Republican and Democratic committees in Erie County hosted ‘Get out the vote’ rallies on Saturday, making a final push to get voters to the polls.

Leaders on both sides of the aisle said they are confident their efforts will pay off at the ballot box.

“Over the last several months, we have knocked on thousands of doors and made thousands of phone calls,” said Michael Kracker, chair of the Erie County Republican Committee. “All in service to electing an outstanding Republican team.”

“We need you,” said Jeremy Zellner, chair of the Erie County Democratic Committee. “Don’t wake up with regret on Wednesday morning. We’re going to make a difference all weekend long.”

With less than 72 hours until the big day, all of the candidates are trying to sway voters to their side.

“The Republicans don’t have a playbook on how to help people,” said Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz. “All they want is power and money. They want more power so they can make more money.”

“They’re sick and tired of inflation,” said Representative Nick Langworthy. “They can’t handle the fact that we don’t have a southern border anymore. We’ve been invaded in this country, and we need law and order.”

Both Democrats and Republicans said they have put an immense amount of effort into this year’s campaigns.

Although several of these leaders represent communities across New York, many of them have been traveling to Erie, Pennsylvania. Leaders said Pennsylvania’s status as a swing state makes it a significant focus for an election that’s expected to be a close one.

“We usually adopt Erie in the presidential year to send out volunteers and folks there,” Zellner said. “It’s never been as strong as it has this year.”

“We’ve got people that are down in Pennsylvania right now knocking on doors as well,” Langworthy said. “We’ve been working down there extensively for President Trump’s campaign.”

While much of the attention is on the race for the White House, Western New York voters will also be voting for several representatives in Congress, the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly.

Both candidates and officials said these races are just as important as the race for president.

“It’s about people being able to express their views and their feelings whether or not they’re okay with the status quo or they feel we need to change,” said Marc Priore, Republican candidate for Assembly District 142.

“The light of that tunnel starts with Kamala Harris at the top and right down row ‘A’ all the way,” said acting Buffalo Mayor Chris Scanlon. “I urge you for three more days to please get out and vote.”

Early voting officially ends at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3. Click here to see more information on dates, hours and locations for early voting.

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Trina Catterson joined the News 4 team in 2024. She previously worked at WETM-TV in Elmira, a sister station of WIVB. See more of her work here.

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