BUFFALO, N.Y. — Although Election Day is over a week away, the race for Erie County’s next leaders has already begun.

County residents took to the polls Saturday as 38 locations opened their doors to kick off the first day of early voting in Erie County. For some at the Delavan Grider Community Center, turning out before Election Day was a safe bet, as different factors — including the COVID-19 pandemic and Buffalo weather — could make things unpredictable.

“I just wanted to make sure that I was able to vote early so that I could guarantee that my vote is in," said voter Michael Flaherty, Jr. "If something happens between then and now, I don’t have to worry about it. I just wanted to make sure I got my vote in and that it counted.”

Voters also shared their hopes for the city, that whoever gets elected to local government prioritizes the interests of the people.

“Fair and balanced government that will represent all of the people in the city of Buffalo instead of special interests, the elite and those that have deep pockets, because that has been a longtime history of Buffalo and its politics,” said voter Ronnie Moore.

Some notable early voters who came to the community center were incumbent Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown and his wife, Michelle. After greeting supporters, Brown headed in to cast his vote, championing his slogan that he has been using for his write-in campaign this year, as he exclaimed, "I officially wrote down Byron Brown."

When asked about his opponent India Walton holding a rally with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, his response was geared toward the voters.

“The only opinions, the only votes that matter, the only votes that count, are the votes of the people of Buffalo, and I think we will see in this election that the people of Buffalo want to write down Byron Brown and want to go forward with me as mayor, and don’t want to go backwards with Ms. Walton’s radical socialist policies,” Brown said.

Brown also said he expects a record turnout of voters and that his write-in campaign is bringing a new energy to the polls this election.

“This write-in campaign has certainly energized the city of Buffalo, the ‘Write Down Byron Brown’ campaign has united people all across the city of Buffalo, and I think it is renewing the spirit of democracy in our community,” he said.

Early voting runs through Sunday, Oct. 31 and Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 2.

For a full list of early voting locations and hours, visit the Erie County Board of Elections website.