New Yorkers are nearly ready to head to the polls to cast their votes. But before residents exercise their civic duty, it’s important to understand what’s on the ballot this year, including elections for mayor, comptroller, public advocate, borough president and city council.
A number of judges are also seeking to be elected, and there will be six ballot proposals with suggested changes to Albany and NYC’s governing documents, the state Constitution and the City Charter.
Residents may vote early Oct. 25 through Nov. 2, and Election Day is Nov. 4. To find your poll site or view a sample ballot, visit findmypollsite.vote.nyc.
Mayor
The biggest contenders for the role are the Democratic nominee, Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani (D-Astoria), former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, running as an independent, and Republican Curtis Sliwa. But there are a number of others who also will be listed on the ballot.
Though he’s ended his campaign, incumbent Mayor Eric Adams will appear as an independent, Irene Estrada is running as a conservative and Joseph Hernandez and Jim Walden, the latter of whom dropped out of the race, are listed as independents.
Comptroller
Mark Levine, the Manhattan borough president, secured the Democratic nomination for city comptroller. He will face off against Peter Kefalas, a Republican, and Ismael Perez, an independent.
Public advocate
Democrat Jumaane Williams is hoping to retain his seat, but faces challengers in Martin Dolan, an independent, and Republican Gonzalo Duran.
Queens borough president
Incumbent Borough President Donovan Richards Jr., a Democrat, will go head to head with Henry Ikezi, a Republican.
City Council District 19
Vickie Paladino (R-Whitestone), a Republican, will try to hold on to her seat against Democratic challenger Benjamin Chou.
City Council District 20
Incumbent Sandra Ung (D-Flushing) faces multiple challengers in Joseph Chou and Steven Wang, running as independent candidates, and Allen Wang, a Conservative.
City Council District 21
A new Council member will be leading the district come January, as Shanel Thomas-Henry, a Democrat, will face off against Giovanni Franco, a Republican. The incumbent, Francisco Moya (D-Corona) is term-limited.
City Council District 22
Tiffany Cabán, a Democrat, will not face a challenger for reelection.
City Council District 23
Bernie Chow, a Conservative, will take on incumbent Linda Lee (D-Oakland Gardens).
City Council District 24
Incumbent Jim Gennaro (D-Fresh Meadows) is uncontested in his reelection bid.
City Council District 25
Incumbent Shekar Krishnan (D-Jackson Heights) will face multiple competitors in Shah Haque and Ricardo Pacheco, both running as independents, and Ramses Frias, the Republican nominee.
City Council District 26
Republican John Healy will attempt to dethrone incumbent Julie Won (D-Sunnyside).
City Council District 27
Nantasha Williams (D-St. Albans), the incumbent, will not face a competitor for her seat.
City Council District 28
Ty Hankerson, a Democrat, does not face a challenger to replace the term-limited incumbent, Speaker Adrienne Adams (D-Jamaica). Hankerson won the primary against four other candidates with 58.8 percent of the vote.
City Council District 29
Incumbent Lynn Schulman (D-Forest Hills) will battle to retain her seat against Jonathan Rinaldi, a Republican.
City Council District 30
As incumbent Bob Holden (D-Maspeth) is term-limited, two of his employees seek to replace him: Alicia Vaichunas, a Republican, and Democrat Phil Wong.
City Council District 31
Incumbent Selvena Brooks-Powers (D-Laurelton) does not face a challenger for reelection.
City Council District 32
Incumbent Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) does not face a challenger for her seat.
City Council District 34
While the 34th District mostly covers Brooklyn, it contains a part of Ridgewood. Democrat Jennifer Gutiérrez is uncontested in her reelection bid.
State Supreme Court, 11th District
Five positions on the 11th Judicial District are open. Vying for the spots are Democrats Sandra Perez, Ira Greenberg, Gary Miret, Frances Wang and Soma Syed, and Republicans Gary Muraca and Richard Felix.
New York City Civil Court, Queens County
The Democratic candidates are Sheridan Chu, Indria Khan and Oma Philips, and the Republicans are Thomas Barra, William Shanahan and Susan Silverman.
Civil Court, 1st Municipal District
Juliette-Noor Haji, a Democrat, is uncontested for the judgeship. She won the primary with 69.3 percent.
Civil Court, 2nd Municipal District
Eve Cho Guillergan, a Democrat, Thomas Wright-Ferndandez, also a Democrat, and Republican Stephen Dachtera will face off at the polls. Voters may pick two candidates.
Civil Court, 4th Municipal District
Mary-Ann Maloney, a Republican, and Democrats Gail Adams and Fania Jean, are competing for two judgeship positions.
Civil Court, 5th Municipal District
Jennifer Tubridy, listed as both a Democrat and a Republican, is uncontested.
Proposals
In addition to choosing candidates, voters can weigh in on six proposals, whose printed summaries are as follows. On the ballot itself, each one also has a synopsis of what a yes or no vote means.
Proposal No. 1: Amendment to Allow Olympic Sports Complex In Essex County on State Forest Preserve Land
Allows skiing and related trail facilities on state forest preserve land. The site is 1,039 acres. Requires State to add 2,500 acres of new forest land in Adirondack Park.
Proposal No. 2: Fast Track Affordable Housing to Build More Affordable Housing Across the City
Fast track publicly financed affordable housing. Fast track applications delivering affordable housing in the community districts that produce the least affordable housing, significantly reducing review time. Maintain Community Board review.
Proposal No. 3: Simplify Review of Modest Housing and Infrastructure Projects
Simplify review of modest amounts of additional housing and minor infrastructure projects, significantly reducing review time. Maintain Community Board review, with final decision by the City Planning Commission.
Proposal No. 4: Establish an Affordable Housing Appeals Board with Council, Borough, and Citywide Representation
Establish an Affordable Housing Appeals Board with the Council Speaker, local Borough President, and Mayor to review Council actions that reject or change applications creating affordable housing.
Proposal No. 5: Create a Digital City Map to Modernize City Operations
Consolidate borough map office and address assignment functions, and create one digital City Map at Department of City Planning. Today, the City Map consists of paper maps across five offices.
Proposal No. 6: Move Local Elections to Presidential Election Years to Increase Voter Participation
Move the City’s primary and general election dates so that City elections are held in the same year as Federal Presidential elections, when permitted by state law.