New York state is allowing early voting for the first time and people in the Hudson Valley are lining up at the polls.

Saturday is the first day of early voting and the city of Newburgh Mayor Torrance Harvey came to cast his ballot saying local elections are probably more important than national ones, because they affect people directly.

"The local elections are super important. The local government affects people's day to day lives and their quality of life," Harvey said.

Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson, a co-sponsor of the bill that was passed to allow early voting, says it makes the process simpler and more convenient. 

"It gives people more of a chance to participate," Jacobson said.

Jeff and Greg Thornton are leaving for a trip overseas, and won't be present on election day. They say this early voting process is much easier than filling out an absentee ballot. Other people say they like early voting because it gives them options. 

"Some people have jobs and it's easier for them to vote early than to take off from their work and vote," said Leslie Patterson, Newburgh resident.

You can vote early all the way up until November 3, with election day being November 5, and if you want to participate in the early voting process it's important you check your county's local board of elections website for polling locations and times.