It was a busy day at I.S. 70 in Chelsea, one of many early voting sites open across the city Saturday.

A good amount of people took advantage of the chance to cast their ballots ahead of the Nov. 8 election. 

“I’m so excited about early voting. It means that I don’t have to worry about Election Day being the only day I can vote. So I decided I would do it early, so I get it done and I knew it happened,” early voter Abby Stokes said. 

Voters said they were making sure their vote counts, especially in the race for governor.

Many said they watched the Spectrum News NY1 debate, the only one between candidates Gov. Kathy Hochul and Rep. Lee Zeldin.

“I don’t think I saw anything that would really change people’s minds if they had already decided who they were going to vote for,” early voter Eileen Wise said. “But it was important to see that, to see the candidates speaking and to see how they presented themselves.” 

Several issues are on people’s minds — crime being one of the biggest concerns.

“Yeah, I don’t think we’re on the right track. And change is always good, especially when we’re looking toward improving the quality of life and reducing crime. Figuring out this homeless challenge. I think there’s a lot of work to be done,” early voter Jason Martuscello said.

“We’re fed up with the crime that’s happening in the defund the police movement. And that whole narrative is just, I think, falling a little bit short,” early voter John Cuddihy said. 

The storming of the Capitol on Jan. 6 last year and the overturning of Roe v. Wade this year were both very big influencing factors for some.

“I have to say the biggest issue for me is about preserving democracy. And so that means making sure that I’m voting in people who actually believe in our system and believe that fraud has not happened,” Stokes said.

To learn more about early voting and voting locations, check out NY1’s voter guide for more information.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8.