The all-important midterm elections are on Nov. 8, and early voting begins in Manhattan and other parts of New York state this weekend as residents choose who will lead the state government and represent them both in Albany and on Capitol Hill.
Topping all ballots this year is the governor’s race, as Democratic/Working Families incumbent Kathy Hochul seeks her first full term in office against her Republican/Conservative rival, Long Island Congress Member Lee Zeldin. Turnout figures to be especially important in this and other races, as the polls have tightened significantly in this contest over the past several weeks.
Both candidates are on the ballot as tickets running with their parties’ respective nominees for lieutenant governor. For the Democrats and Working Families, Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado is also seeking his first four-year term in the post, while former NYPD Deputy Inspector Alison Esposito runs as the Republican/Conservative nominee for lieutenant governor.
Three other statewide races follow the gubernatorial candidates on the ballot, each of which feature Democratic incumbents who are expected to win in this heavily blue state.
State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli is seeking a third term in office against Republican nominee Paul Rodriguez of Brooklyn.
Attorney General Letitia James is asking voters to give her a second term in the post; she squares off against Republican candidate Michael Henry of Queens.
And U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, who also serves as the Senate Majority Leader, will seek a fifth term in the Senate against Republican/Conservative nominee Joe Pinion of Yonkers and Diane Sare of Sloatsburg, who is running on the LaRouche ballot line.
Early voting
The early voting period begins this Saturday, Oct. 29, at 9 a.m. at 31 sites across the borough. The period ends on Sunday, Nov. 6. You can find your designated early voting site by visiting findmypollsite.vote.nyc.
The early voting hours of operation are as follows:
- Saturday, Oct. 29, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 30, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Monday, Oct. 31, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Tuesday, Nov. 1, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Wednesday, Nov. 2, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Thursday, Nov. 3, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Friday, Nov. 4, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Saturday, Nov. 5, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Sunday, Nov. 6*, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
*-Daylight Savings Time ends on Nov. 6.
Note: For more information on each candidate, check out the nonpartisan New York City Campaign Finance Bureau’s voter guide at nycvotes.org/meet-the-candidates/2022-general-election.
House races
Voters in Manhattan’s three Congressional Districts will also finalize in this election who will represent them on Capitol Hill — though much of the electoral drama in these races was decided in the Aug. 23 Democratic primary, as all three of the parties nominees are expected to easily win.
Former Trump impeachment attorney Dan Goldman is expected to officially win the 10th District seat, which includes almost all of Manhattan generally south of 12th and 15th Streets, and extending in to north and central Brooklyn. He faces Republican/conservative challenger Benine Hamdan.
Likewise, Congress Member Jerry Nadler is anticipated to easily win re-election to the 12th District after spurning a challenge in August from a long-time colleague, outgoing Congress Member Carolyn Maloney. Nadler’s two General Election opponents are Republican/Conservative nominee Michael Zumbluskas and independent candidate Mikhail Itkis, who is running on his own ballot line.
The 12th District includes the heart of Manhattan, from north of 12th and 15th Streets to just south of East 98th Street on the Upper East Side, and West 100th Street on the Upper West Side.
Congress Member Adriano Espaillat won’t have to worry this Election Day, as he’s running unopposed for another term as the representative of the 13th District, which includes northern Manhattan and the western Bronx.
State Senate races
Just five State Senate districts covering Manhattan are being contested on Election Day, though no surprises are expected.
Democratic state Senator Brian Kavanagh is expected to easily win re-election to the 27th District seat covering almost all of Manhattan south of 14th Street. He faces one challenger: Eric Rasal, who is running on the Medical Freedom ballot line.
Another incumbent, Democratic state Senator Liz Krueger, faces a challenge for her 28th District seat from Republican nominee Dr. Awadheah Kumar Gupta.
Meanwhile, state Senator Robert Jackson is again facing a challenge for his 31st District seat covering Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood and the Bronx. The Democrat is being opposed by Republican Donald Skinner.
Democratic/Working Families state Senator Brad Hoylman is expected to win re-election handily to the 47th Senatorial District seat covering West Village, Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen and the Upper West Side. He faces two challengers running on their own ballot lines: Robert P. Bobrick (Medical Freedom) and Maria Danzilo (Parent Party).
There’s technically a race for the triborough 59th Senate District, includes a chunk of the East Side, Gramercy and Kips Bay and crosses over the East River into western Queens and northern Brooklyn. However, just one candidate – Democratic/Working Families nominee Kristen Gonzalez — is on the ballot, so she will win election to the post.
August primary winners for state Senate seats who won’t have a general election contest to worry about are the incumbent state Senators Cordell Cleare (30th District, Upper West Side, Morningside Heights, Harlem, East Harlem, Hamilton Heights and Washington Heights) and Jose Serrano (29th District, Upper Manhattan and the Bronx).
Assembly races
The Assembly races in Manhattan also figure to be drama-free. Seven seats are being contested, mostly with heavily-favored Democrats facing token Republican opposition.
Democratic nominee Grace Lee is expected to win the 65th District (Chinatown, Lower Manhattan) seat being vacated by the outgoing Assembly Member Yuh-Line Niou covering Chinatown. She’s getting a challenge from Republican nominee Helen Qiu.
Assembly Member Eddie Gibbs is looking for his first full two-year term as representative of the 68th District (Harlem). Standing in his way is Republican nominee Daby Benjamine Carreras.
Another Democratic incumbent, Assembly Member Daniel O’Donnell, is looking to hold the 69th District seat against Republican rival Ian McKenzie.
In the 70th District, Harlem Assembly Member Inez Dickens will look to secure another term in office against Republican challenger Cynthia R. Nelson-Acevedo.
Democratic nominee Alex Bores aims to win a term in office as the 73rd District (Midtown and the Upper East Side) representative, succeeding the outgoing Dan Quart. The Republican nominee looking to upset his bid is David Casavis.
Assembly Member Harvey Epstein looks for another term in Albany representing the 74th District as he faces a challenge from Republican nominee Bryan Cooper.
Finally, Democratic nominee Tony Simone will look to hold the 75th District seat held by the retiring Dick Gottfried, who had been one of the longest-serving Assembly members in state history. Simone’s main rival is Republican candidate Joseph A. Maffia for the seat covering Midtown and Hell’s Kitchen.
Meanwhile, six incumbent Assembly Members representing Manhattan will be re-elected to their posts unopposed: Charles D. Fall (61st District, tip of Lower Manhattan); Deborah Glick (66th District, West Village, SoHo and Chelsea); Linda Rosenthal (67th District, Upper West Side); Alfred E. Taylor (71st District, Harlem and Washington Heights); Manny De Los Santos (72nd District, Harlem); and Rebecca Seawright (76th District, Upper East Side and Roosevelt Island).
Judicial races
This year’s General Election ballot also features a number of races to decide seats on the state courts, though none of them are being seriously contested.
Hillary Gingold is the only candidate running for the New York Surrogate Court seat. Just three Democrats are running for three state Supreme Court justice seats in the 1st District: Sabrina Kraus, Dakota Ramseur and Lisa Sokoloff.
E. Deronn Bowen is the sole candidate for the New York County Civil Court judgeship on the ballot. Voters will also elected four Municipal Court judges in four different districts, each of which has just one candidate in the running: Carmen Pacheco (2nd District), Leroy Austin D’Souza (3rd District), Matthew Bondy (4th District) and Dan Quart (5th District)
Flip the ballot for questions!!!
Whether you vote on Election Day, through early voting, or by absentee ballot, do not forget to flip your ballot over and vote on four ballot questions also being decided in the general election.
Proposition 1 centers on the approval of the Environmental Bond Act of 2022, which would authorize the state to issue up to $4.2 billion toward funding projects to boost environmental protection, natural restoration, resiliency and clean energy.
Proposition 2 focuses on a proposal to amend the New York City Charter to add a statement affirming “a just and equitable city for all” New Yorkers and that the city must work to remedy “past and continuing harms” that stand in the way of achieving “justice and equity for all New Yorkers.”
Proposition 3, also a citywide question, asks voters if they wish to establish a Racial Equity Office, Plan and Commission at City Hall.
Proposition 4 also focuses on a proposed City Charter amendment requiring that the city government create a “true cost of living” measure in order to track how much New Yorkers spend to meet the most basic needs.
Election Day voting, and things to remember
If you opt not to vote early or submit an absentee ballot, you can vote on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8, at your designated polling place. The polls will be open that day from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. You can find your regular polling place online at findmypollsite.vote.nyc, or by calling 212-VOTE-NYC.
Whenever you vote, remember to read the instructions and follow them carefully. Fill in the circle carefully next to the candidates of your choice.
If you are online waiting to vote when the polling place closes, do not leave the line. Remain on line; you will get to vote.
All polling sites prohibit electioneering within 100 feet of the entrance. If you are harassed and feel threatened on the way to the polls, seek police assistance and call the Attorney General’s Election Suppression Hotline at 866-390-2992; you can also file a complaint online at electionhotline.ag.ny.gov.
