9 p.m.: Voting is officially done in the myriad of local races on the primary ballot this year. As we wait for returns (Don’t expect them lightening fast. In Schenectady County, the Board of Elections site — mostly blank — already warned that results won’t start popping up until after 9:30 p.m.), here is another notable race we are watching tonight in Rensselaer County:
A retired police chief, a former federal agent and a sheriff’s sergeant are candidates in two primaries that will determine who’s on the November ballot to be the next Rensselaer County sheriff. Sgt. Kyle Bourgault, the sheriff’s office spokesman, faces retired Troy police chief Brian Owens in a Conservative primary. At the same time, Bourgault squares off against former Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent Jason Stocklas in the Republican primary. Bourgault is the endorsed party candidate in both elections. County Democrats are backing Owens in the general election.
– Lauren Stanforth, Mike Goodwin
Polls on verge of closing
8:15 p.m.: Polls are about 45 minutes away from closing in primaries across New York. In the Capital Region and Hudson Valley, only local races are on the ballot. But a handful of races could decide how the general election will go in November.
Among the local races to watch — the Schenectady mayor’s race, where Democratic incumbent Gary McCarthy is facing a challenge from City Councilwoman Marion Porterfield. In such a heavily Democratic city, the winner of this primary is in a good spot going into the general election, where the person on the Democratic line will face Republican Matt Nelligan.
There is another Democratic primary for mayor just north in Saratoga Springs, where incumbent Ron Kim is facing former public safety…
Read the full article here