SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- An off-year election usually means even lower voter turnout on Primary Day. There's only one way one of the Board of Elections Commissioners, Dustin Czarny, could describe it.

"It's, well, it's horrible," said said Czarny, Onondaga County Democratic Elections Commissioner. "It's 10 to 20 percent. Sometimes in a mayoral primary you'll see it up around 30 to 40 percent. But it rarely gets above that."

Czarny is hoping that changes, particularly this year with the number of races on Primary Day. The biggest is the 128th Assembly Seat vacated by Sam Roberts. The Democrats vying for that seat they include David Stott, Pamela Hunter and Jean Kessner.

In the city of Syracuse, there's two council seats and a county-wide primary for the conservative candidate for Onondaga County Executive, and although the primary doesn't draw big crowds, Czarny says in some instances it is an equally important race.

"Inside the City of Syracuse, the Democrats hold office and it's rare that there's Republican opposition in some of these offices now, and outside in the outlying towns, you see the opposite sense, where the Republicans hold office and there's rarely Democratic opposition, so primaries are starting to become the election in many of these cases," said Czarny.

Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner on Thursday called on state leaders to pass legislation that encourages more voter participation. She supports proposals to allow early voting, universal voter registration and "no excuse" permanent absentee ballots.

"When we make it easy to vote and we have more participation, we will have a better government and all people's rights will be represented," said Miner.

Speaking for himself and not the Board of Elections, Czarny said he's in favor of all these measures but also knows eligible voters have to actually vote.

"Part of it is having people who are interested in wanting to vote as well. The more importance that we put on Election Day, the more importance we put on the electoral process and making it easier for the voters. I believe that will drive turnout as well," said Czarny.

Primary Day this year is Thursday, Sept. 10 with polls open from noon to 9. The last day to register to vote in the primary is Saturday, Aug. 15, but if you're registering in person you'll have to do it by Friday.

The Onondaga County Board of Elections has the full list of Primary Races on its website.