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Cuomo Votes In New Castle Amid Demonstrations

NEW CASTLE, N.Y. -- Before Gov. Andrew Cuomo arrived at his polling place in New Castle to cast his ballot on Tuesday, demonstrators in two camps poured into the area.

Video shows highlights of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaking with reporters after voting at a church in New Castle, NY. Standing next to him is his partner, Sandra Lee.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie
Gov. Andrew Cuomo (right) arrives to his polling place in New Castle with his partner, Sandra Lee (left).

Gov. Andrew Cuomo (right) arrives to his polling place in New Castle with his partner, Sandra Lee (left).

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie
Cuomo campaign signs are placed on the front lawn of the Presbyterian Church of Mount Kisco, which is the governor's polling place.

Cuomo campaign signs are placed on the front lawn of the Presbyterian Church of Mount Kisco, which is the governor's polling place.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie
Pro-Cuomo demonstrators stationed in front of the governor's polling place in New Castle.

Pro-Cuomo demonstrators stationed in front of the governor's polling place in New Castle.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie
Anti-fracking demonstrators stationed in front of Cuomo's polling place in New Castle.

Anti-fracking demonstrators stationed in front of Cuomo's polling place in New Castle.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie
Anti-fracking demonstrators stationed in front of Cuomo's polling place in New Castle.

Anti-fracking demonstrators stationed in front of Cuomo's polling place in New Castle.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie
Pro-Cuomo demonstrators stationed in front of the governor's polling place in New Castle.

Pro-Cuomo demonstrators stationed in front of the governor's polling place in New Castle.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie
Gov. Andrew Cuomo arrives at his polling place in New Castle. Pictured beside him is his partner, Sandra Lee.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo arrives at his polling place in New Castle. Pictured beside him is his partner, Sandra Lee.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie
Gov. Andrew Cuomo arrives at his polling place in New Castle.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo arrives at his polling place in New Castle.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie
Gov. Andrew Cuomo (left) votes at his New Castle polling place. Sandra Lee is pictured by his side.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo (left) votes at his New Castle polling place. Sandra Lee is pictured by his side.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie
Sandra Lee, a homemaking celebrity and Gov. Andrew Cuomo's partner, showed up to vote at her polling place in New Castle.

Sandra Lee, a homemaking celebrity and Gov. Andrew Cuomo's partner, showed up to vote at her polling place in New Castle.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie
Gov. Andrew Cuomo's voting in New Castle was heavily attended by members of the press, who are pictured.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo's voting in New Castle was heavily attended by members of the press, who are pictured.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie
Gov. Andrew Cuomo (left) addresses reporters after voting in New Castle, while Sandra Lee stands beside him.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo (left) addresses reporters after voting in New Castle, while Sandra Lee stands beside him.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie
Gov. Andrew Cuomo is surrounded after he approaches a crowd outside of his New Castle polling place.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo is surrounded after he approaches a crowd outside of his New Castle polling place.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie

One group included opponents of hydraulic fracturing of natural gas, better known as fracking. The opponents repeatedly chanted “Ban fracking now!” Meanwhile, a sizable group of Cuomo supporters came out with campaign signs. Members of their camp voiced their support for his re-election, repeatedly shouting “Four more years!”

Cuomo, who voted at the Presbyterian Church of Mount Kisco, was accompanied by his partner, homemaking celebrity Sandra Lee. The two share a home on a nearby street, which is close to the Mount Kisco border.

After Cuomo and Lee cast their ballots, the two headed into another room for a press conference, where the governor took questions from reporters on various topics. There, Cuomo touted his record on taxes and jobs, arguing that the climate in New York is better than four years ago, which is when he was first elected.

“We have more private-sector jobs today than have ever existed in the State of New York, which is remarkable from where we started four years ago,” Cuomo said.

The governor added: “Are we bumping up against perfection? No. But, have we made tremendous progress? Yes, we have.”

Cuomo is running on several ballot lines, including Democratic, the Working Families Party and the Women's Equality Party.

Cuomo was asked about what is he going to say to Rob Astorino, who is his Republican opponent and lives in neighboring Hawthorne. Cuomo's response was brief, saying only “Hello.”

Earlier in the day, Astorino cast his ballot and spoke about Cuomo, Daily Voice reported.

Cuomo also addressed fracking, calling it a “very hot issue - pardon the pun - and it is a totally divisive issue.”

The governor also deferred to the what scientists conclude with regards to making a decision. Fracking is currently under a moratorium in New York State.

“I'm not a scientist, so I said 'let the scientists decide.”

However, Cuomo noted the intensity of both sides on the issue and argued that when a decision is made, “you're going to have people who are not happy.”

Cuomo was also asked about what the outcome of the election will be – his large poll lead over Astorino was addressed - and weighed in on potential voter complacency.

“If it comes out to be one point, I will be happy."

Cuomo also addressed sentiment from some voters to turn out in protest against fracking and the Common Core curriculum.

“I think people are going to - a certain percentage of people are just going to send a message in this election,” he said.

Cuomo was also asked about how the election will affect the political balance of the state senate. He did not rule out the possibility of uncertainty.

“I don't think you're going to have clarity tonight on the state senate race."

Cuomo was asked about getting involved in brokering a possible leadership deal. His reply was to defer to the legislature on the matter.

At the press conference, the governor encouraged people to vote. He declined to say whom he or his partner voted for, although he talked about how he would be disappointed if she did not vote for him. Lee replied not by speaking but by embracing her partner.

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