Early voting underway in 26th Congressional District

Article and Photos By Karen Carr Keefe

Senior Contributing Writer

Early voting is underway at the Grand Island Welcome Center for the 26^th Congressional District race between Democratic New York State Sen. Tim Kennedy and Republican Gary Dickson, West Seneca supervisor.

Both men were endorsed by the respective county Democratic and Republican committees.

The two are vying in a special election to fill the seat for the remainder of the term vacated by longtime U.S. Rep. Brian Higgins. He resigned Feb. 2 to become president of Shea’s Performing Arts Center in Buffalo.

Early voting hours for the special election are noon to 9 p.m. today, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. There is no voting on Monday, April 29.

Election Day is Tuesday, April 30, at all Grand Island polling places. Hours are 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Kathleen Ricci of Grand Island came to the Welcome Center on Tuesday to vote in the congressional race.

“It’s convenient,” she said of early voting. She doesn’t miss any opportunity to cast her ballot. “I think it’s important to vote and get the right people in there.”

A primary election will be held Tuesday, June 25, to determine the candidates for the general election to be held Nov. 5, to fill the two-year congressional term.

Former Grand Island supervisor Nate McMurray said he decided to forego the April 30 special election in favor of an all-out effort for the June 25 primary.

The 26^th district includes the towns of Grand Island, Amherst, Kenmore, Tonawanda and Cheektowaga, plus parts of West Seneca, and the cities of Niagara Falls, Buffalo, Lackawanna and North Tonawanda.

Election signs are up at the Grand Island Welcome Center for 26^th Congressional District candidates Gary Dickson and Tim Kennedy. Early voting is underway today, Saturday and Sunday to fill the remaining term of Brian Higgins, who resigned Feb. 2. Election Day is Tuesday, April 30. A primary for the two-year term will be held June 25 and the general election is Nov. 5