2016 New York Presidential Primary: The Hudson Valley Goes to the Polls

UPDATE: Tuesday, April 19, 2016, 5:30 p.m.

At the Putnam County Board of Elections, a polling place for several districts, Richard Hill said he was voting for the first time in a presidential primary -- they're not usually competitive in New York. Given that, he wasn't surprised by the steady stream of people going in and out.

"I think it's exciting this year because the races are so close, and people are looking for newer candidates," said the 55-year-old Carmel resident, a Bernie Sanders supporter. "I think everybody has an opinion this year."

Find news of the day and results in the evening here on Patch.

Beverly Timmons always votes, but this was her first presidential primary in Carmel.

"I'm used to the old 'pull-the-lever' machines," said the former Brooklyn resident, who voted for Hillary Clinton. "I think she's the best qualified person in either party and I think she will do a good job for everyday people like me. I like Bernie, but some of his ideas aren't practical."

She had to ask a question about the Democratic primary ballot, which as well as the two candidates had more delegates on one row than on another, said the 68-year-old. She got clarification from a poll worker -- you can vote for up to six in the 18th congressional district, and the delegates are on the same line as the candidate they're committed to for the Democratic National Convention.

"There I am counting out loud," she said.

UPDATE: Tuesday, April 19, 2016, 4 p.m.: Town of Greenburgh Supervisor Paul Feiner said it was his impression that there was definitely a lot of excitement about the primary.

“This is the first time in years that New York voters have a voice in the nominating process,” he said in an email. “It was also exciting for voters to have the chance to meet the presidential candidates.”

On Monday, Feiner sent out a reminder to residents of a couple of polling place changes.

He said there were some complaints about the lack of signs at the old location. Feiner said the board of elections was contacted.

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New York's delegates are up for grabs, so the primary is meaningful for the first time in years, and it has been a busy month, as presidential candidates actually campaigned in the Hudson Valley.

Now voters are going to the polls, on a beautiful day that AccuWeather analysts say should boost the turnout.

The polling place at Saint John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Poughkeepsie was busy at midafternoon with a steady stream of cars going in and out of the parking lot, and people on foot, including moms pushing baby strollers, coming in to vote.

"I can't remember the last time New York mattered in a single presidential primary, much less two," said Republican consultant William F.B. O'Reilly. "The stakes are significant on both sides of the aisle. Bernie Sanders could get a huge momentum boost with a tighter-than-expected run here, and both John Kasich and Ted Cruz may be able to walk away with some delegates in Donald Trump's home state."

On the Republican side, voters can choose real estate mogul and reality television star Donald J. Trump, Ohio Governor John Kasich or Texas Senator Ted Cruz.

For Democrats, there is former senator and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders from whom to pick.

Two of them have actual Hudson Valley ties. Clinton lives in Chappaqua and Trump owns a house in Bedford.

Writing in Capital Tonight's Morning Memo, reporter Nick Reisman predicted that Sanders would do well in the Hudson Valley.

And, he added, "The suburban counties are often considered to be the bellwethers in New York politics. Westchester, Suffolk and Nassau counties have been trending Democratic over the last several decades. Still, two out of three county government are led by Republican county executives. If Sanders runs competitively against Clinton in the Westchester-based congressional districts of Reps. Nita Lowey and Eliot Engel that would be an accomplishment in and of itself."

Two polling places were changed in Greenburgh. Supervisor Paul Feiner said Solomon Schecter is no longer a polling place. The location has been moved to Woodlands. Riverside Hose Company was moved to Tarrytown Village Hall last year but now has been moved back to Riverside Hose.

Hillary and Bill Clinton voted at Douglas G. Grafflin Elementary School in Chappaqua this morning.

They've lived in the upscale Westchester County hamlet since 1999. The Clintons talked with Chappaqua school officials including Superintendent Lyn McCay, according to the Daily Voice. Clinton spent a few minutes with a crowd of supporters outside after voting.

Delegates are chosen based on congressional districts. Here's a visualization profiling each of New York's congressional districts. Learn about each district's population, ethnic breakdown, and average education and income levels.

Democrats vote for candidates and delegates on today's ballot -- they are asked to vote for five or six delegates to represent their congressional district at the Democratic National Convention, which is July 25-28 in Philadelphia.

Republicans vote for candidates. The GOP National Convention is July 18–21 in Cleveland, Ohio.

RELATED:

• 2016 New York Presidential Primary Results: Voters Get A Say
• NY Primary Voting Problems Should Be Reported to Hotline
• NY Presidential Primary 2016: A Patch News Roundup
• Clinton's Neighbors are Campaign Workers
• In Advance of Primary, Candidates Turn Attention to New York
• Pre-Primary Vigil in Chappaqua About AIM Pipeline, Indian Point

Patch staff writer Michael Woyton contributed to this report.

PHOTOS:

Hillary and Bill Clinton voted this morning at Grafflin Elementary School in Chappaqua/credit: Dawn Dankner-Rosen. The polls are open at Saint John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Poughkeepsie/credit: Michael Woyton. Hillary and Bill Clinton talked to Chappaqua Superintendent Lyn McCay/Credit: Tom Auchterlonie, The Daily Voice/used with permission.