Voters head to polls for special election in District 3

Manhattan voters from Greenwich Village to Hell’s Kitchen will head to the polls Tuesday to select a new City Council member.

The special election fills the vacant seat for Manhattan District 3. 

The district is home to several historical sites in the gay rights movement, including the Stonewall Inn. In recent years, the district has been represented by an LGBTQ lawmaker.

Legislative aide Carl Wilson, who is openly gay, hopes to continue that tradition. Wilson has the support of Council Speaker Julie Menin. 

Mayor Zohran Mamdani surprised some political observers when he endorsed Lindsey Boylan, a straight woman who accused former Gov. Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment.

Two local community activists who are also vying for the seat: Layla Law-Gisiko and Leslie Boghosian Murphy.