Monroe County saw voter turnout approaching 60 percent Tuesday, a rate much higher than other recent midterm elections.

The Monroe County Board of Elections reported a 59 percent voter turnout by 8 p.m., with more than 17,500 ballots cast in the final hours of the election.

Compare that with 43 percent of voters participating in the 2014 midterms and the 49 percent who participated in the 2010 midterms.

Voters were eager to turn out and cast ballots for a variety of reasons, ranging from personal to forward-looking.

“I believe, as an African American, it is essential that we vote for leaders who will take into account who we are and what we stand for,” added Flossie Hendricks of Rochester.