By David Cruz

It’s the calm before the big political storm tonight, as several races will be decided by voters in this year’s Primary in the borough. For now, accusations of polling impropriety, get-out-the-vote text messages and Primary victory parties are in order.

The most action thus far has been in the race for the 33rd Senate District, a large central/northwest Bronx district, where Councilman Fernando Cabrera of the 14th District, the lead challenger against incumbent State Senator Gustavo Rivera, is accusing one poll site of voting misdeed. This came after Cabrera noticed his name was not on the enrollment list for registered voters at PS 310. He’s now calling for an investigation.

“I am requesting an immediate investigation, and filing a Formal Complaint, of such specific voting irregularities, as I fear this instant irregularity involving my exercise of the right to vote, is very possibly more widespread in this election,” wrote Cabrera in a letter sent to the Board of Elections.

Cabrera, a Democrat with conservative leanings, faced a firestorm of controversy last week after a video surfaced showing Cabrera backing the government of Uganda’s decision to ban gay marriage in the eastern African country. This sparked outraged from folks within his own caucus, including Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. who called Cabrera’s remarks “offensive.”

“Councilmember Cabrera should not be stoking the flames of oppression abroad, nor should he be praising the Ugandan government action’s as a model that should be replicated here,” wrote Diaz Jr. in a statement.

Cabrera did clarify he was not backing Ugandan officials implementation of a law that forbids homosexuality, with the sentence being life in prison. Cabrera has since kept quiet on the matter, and focusing on the race against Rivera. Much like Cabrera, Rivera has been spotted at Jerome Avenue, Crotona Avenue and West Kingsbridge Road today, shaking hands and encouraging folks to vote. His race received a boost from Governor Andrew Cuomo, who endorsed the senator this past weekend.

Meantime, the race in the 34th Senate District between political power player Senator Jeff Klein and challenger Oliver Koppell is tangible, with banners, bus ads and posters seen all over the east Bronx from each of the respective camps. Text messages from Klein reminding voters to head to the polls have also been sent.

The race has been one of the more talked about contests in recent memory, with Koppell waging a war against Klein for forming the Independent Democratic Conference, where he Klein serves as president.

Koppell has since called the formation the ultimate betrayal against Democrats after striking a deal with Republican Senate co-leader Dean Skelos. But under political pressure, Klein has made assurances he will be once against forming a new alliance with Democrats following the November elections.

Stay tuned with the Norwood News as we continue to provide regular updates on Bronx Primary Day 2014.