SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- More than 200 Democratic committee members are casting a vote Thursday, choosing among the party's seven mayoral hopefuls.
"People are excited; there's a lot of energy," Onondaga County Democratic Chair Mark English said.
A candidate needs to win 50 percent plus one for a majority of the weighted vote. If that candidate isn't reached Thursday, the committee will vote again Saturday. If that vote doesn't lead to a majority, the top two candidates will go to a head-to-head vote. Committee members will evaluate everything.
"The personality and the quality of the person is the most important thing," English said.
Also important is the ability to raise money and win in November.
"We want to see energy; familiarity with the city, love of the city," English said.
Whoever comes out Saturday with the designation will have the financial backing and resources of the party, but with six other candidates in the race, a primary will almost be assured.
"We'll find out,” English said. “After the designations completed, we'll do everything we can to get people behind the designated candidate. If there's a primary, we'll deal with that too."
Candidates who don't get the party designation will have to find 1,000 signatures from party members to appear on the ballot. Some candidates have already said they will.
"It's just another part of the process," English said.
The Democratic candidates are Raymond Blackwell, Alfonso Davis, Chris Fowler, Marty Masterpole, Andrew Maxwell, Joe Nicoletti and Juanita Perez Williams.