Early voting results in lower than expected totals despite hot mayoral race
By Robert J. McCarthy
News Political Reporter
Updated
Despite lots of publicity — including campaign signs outside the Northwest Buffalo Community Center — turnout at early-voting sites appears to have been less than expected.
Early voting does not necessarily equal lots of voting in the hot contest for mayor of Buffalo between incumbent Byron W. Brown and Democratic nominee India B. Walton.Â
Both campaigns said they are doing everything conceivable – from door-knocking to phone-banking to texting – to turn out every single one of their loyal voters while hoping to win some decisive last-minute converts.
With just three days left in one of the most intense mayoral races in Buffalo history, India Walton and Byron Brown took to the streets Saturday to shake hands, hand out candy and persuade any undecided voters to come to their side.
Since defeating incumbent Mayor Byron W. Brown in the June Democratic primary, Walton has gone from "India Who?" to universally recognized on the streets of Buffalo.
Brown, a veteran of the city's formidable Democratic politics finds himself in uncharted territory. If he wants to win a fifth term as mayor, he must do it in a write-in effort rarely attempted on such a large scale.
Despite lots of publicity — including campaign signs outside the Northwest Buffalo Community Center — turnout at early-voting sites appears to have been less than expected.
