ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Election day is here and the polls are open until 9 p.m. Tuesday.

In the city of Rochester, presumptive Mayor Malik Evans is one step closer to making it official.

Evans cast his ballot early Tuesday morning at the Rochester Academy of Medicine on East Avenue. His name is the only one listed as a candidate for Rochester mayor this time.

It's the same place where he cast his ballot in June for the primaries. That night he defeated incumbent Mayor Lovely Warren.

Evans spoke with Spectrum News 1 at the polling site. 

"The future of Rochester, I envision, is one where we build a bridge to the future of Rochester," Evans said. "One that we try to take Rochester to the next level. Where we are proud to say we accomplished great things in Rochester. That violence is something that's in the rear-view mirror. And we have a city that my kids, my son, who I brought to vote today, are proud of. That's the future of Rochester." 

Evans spoke more about the problems of violence in the city, saying action is needed and not idle chatter, because the community has become too used to the problem. 

"We cannot make it acceptable," he said. "And what hurts me the most. We are in a state of emergency as it relates to violence. Not just the shootings and people that have died, but the hundreds of shootings that have taken place and killed people. This is absolutely unbelievable and inconceivable."

Evans joined Capital Tonight last week to discuss the quirks of a transition from the Warren administration, who will step down from office on Dec. 1 as Deputy Mayor James Smith serves out the remaining weeks of her term. He was also asked about how he will work with Rochester City Council.