New Yorkers head to the polls for the presidential primary

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)—New York State’s presidential primary is taking place. It allows registered Democrats and Republicans to cast their ballots.

Former Republican President Donald Trump, and current Democratic President, Joe Biden have already secured enough delegates for their party’s nomination.

“One might ask, why go through with this process? Well, it’s in the books,” explained Grant Reeher, a Political Science professor at Syracuse University. “It’s a part of an election process. No state is going to cancel its primary because the designee is clear.”

Reeher said people who are enthusiastic about Donald Trump or Joe Biden will make it a point to go out and vote.

“People who are less enthusiastic may just stay home, may leave the ballot blank. There’s been a movement, particularly among Democrats for that, who are unhappy with Joe Biden’s policies and conduct and rhetoric around the Israeli/Hamas war,” said Reeher. “So we might see some of that.”

Barbara Smith, a former Albany Common Council member, said her ballot will be left blank.

“In New York State, you can’t write in anything in a primary like this,” said Smith. “You can’t write uncommitted or whatever.”

She hopes leaving it blank will send a message to the president and other elected officials.