Early Voting Concludes for 61st Senate District Special Election

Feb 2, 2026, 2:29 AM

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Early voting for the 61st State Senate District special election has officially ended, with Erie County officials reporting a total of 6,441 ballots cast during the early voting period.

The early voting phase saw a total of 1,265 ballots cast on the eighth day alone, according to Erie County Board of Elections commissioners Ralph Mohr and Howard Johnson. The final day for early voting was Sunday, with polling locations open from 9 am to 5 pm.

This special election is scheduled for February 3, 2026, and it will determine who will fill the vacancy left by Sean Ryan, who was sworn in as Buffalo's new mayor on New Year's Day. The race features Democratic nominee Jeremy Zellner, who is the Erie County Democratic Committee Chair, and Republican candidate Dan Gagliardo.

Throughout the early voting period, voters had access to 15 locations across the district, which includes towns such as Amherst and Grand Island, as well as the cities of Tonawanda and Buffalo. Some of the notable early voting sites included the Erie County Board of Elections Main Office and the Delavan Grider Community Center.

On Election Day, voters will need to cast their ballots at their assigned polling locations, which will be open from 6 am to 9 pm It's important to note that participation in this special election is restricted to eligible voters residing within the 61st Senate District.

As the election approaches, the competitive landscape shows Zellner as a strong candidate given the district's Democratic leaning, although Gagliardo remains in the race as the Republican challenger. Analysts suggest that the dynamics of this election could influence future contests, particularly with a potential primary challenge for Zellner from Assembly Member Jonathan Rivera anticipated later this year.

Voters in the 61st Senate District are encouraged to stay informed about their polling locations and the candidates, as the outcome of this election will have implications for local governance and representation in the New York State Senate.

With early voting concluded, all eyes are now on February 3, when voters will make their final selections for this pivotal seat in the state legislature.

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