Next Thursday, voters will have the opportunity to cast their ballot in several state and local races. Our Beth Croughan has more on the third and final primary of the year.

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ALBANY, N.Y. -- "Are you proud to be New Yorkers? Are you proud of the New York tradition? Are you proud of what we're doing in New York," asked Governor Andrew Cuomo as he spoke to New York State's Democratic delegation in North Carolina.

The speech was hours President Barack Obama was to accept his party's nomination to run against Republican nominee Mitt Romney.

What's happening in Charlotte and what happened a week ago in Tampa could encourage voters one week from Thursday.

"I think people are starting to tune in. You know they always say Labor Day, right after Labor Day, the politic season truly begins," said Leonard Cutler, the Director of Siena College's Center for the Study of Government and Politics.

Although there aren't presidential candidates on this primary ballot, Cutler said more people pay attention in a presidential year. And that the state and local races are creating an exciting environment this election.

"In this area, we have the (Ron) Canestrari retirement, we have (Jack) McEneny, we have (Bob) Reilly, we have a hotly contested race with respect to Neil Breslin in terms of his primary and of course, David Soares and Lee Kindlon," he said.

And as the economy is a conversation on the national stage this season, it's one Cutler believes will get voters to the polls on September 13th.

"And anything that's a pocketbook issue certainly gets the voters involved and gets the voters interest charged." he said.

But a State Board of Elections spokesman said it's difficult to predict voter turnout this time around. It's the first time the state and local races have their own primary. Voters have already cast their ballot for the congressional primary and the Republican presidential candidate.