Election day is Feb. 14. That's right, there's a special election in Harlem.
Voters in the 9th Council District, which includes Central Harlem and parts of East and West Harlem, the Upper West Side and Morningside Heights, will head to the polls to select a candidate to fill the vacated seat of Inez Dickens, who was to elected to the state Assembly in November.
Here's all you need to know.
What's a special election?
A special election is a nonpartisan contest to temporarily fill a vacated seat by a city official, "resulting from an elected official’s resignation, removal, death, or permanent incapacitation," according to the New York City Campaign Finance Board. Candidates in special elections are prohibited from running on traditional party lines, such as Republican or Democrat. However, they can create their own party lines, which will be on your ballot.
How long is the winner's term?
Since the post is temporary, the winner will serve through the end of the year. A primary will take place in September and its winner will serve a full four-year term.
How do I know if I live in the 9th Council District?
Enter your address here.
When will polls be open?
Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
How do I find my polling place on Feb. 14?
You can look up your polling site, which is based on your address, here.
I want to vote by absentee ballot. What do I have to do?
The deadline for mail-in absentee ballot applications was Feb. 7.
What do I do if I have issues at the polls?
The New York Attorney General's office has set up a hotline for voters who experience problems at the polls. You can call 800-771-7755 or email civil.rights@ag.ny.gov. You can read more about reporting polling place problems here.
Who is on the ballot?
Nine candidates are running for the seat.
Here they are (in alphabetical order). The candidates submitted their own outlines of their key issues.
Educator and community activist
Party Line: Educated Leader Party
Key Issues: When elected to the NYC Council, I will prioritize matters concerning criminal justice reform; protecting seniors; affordable housing, tenants’ rights and protection; homeowner’s rights and protection; immigration; jobs; advancing education; improving police and community relations; public safety; small businesses; animal cruelty laws; community collaboration and unification; and oversight and investigations. An assertive and comprehensive approach to each would improve the quality of life for Harlem residents.
Vice President, FreshDirect and former Deputy Commissioner for Community Outreach at the city Parks Department
Party Line: Harlem Family
Key Issues: Better Schools — Larry supports smaller class sizes, better technology in classrooms and increased funding for local schools and afterschool programs. Affordable Housing — Larry will protect tenants, homeowners and shareholders in HDFCs and co-ops and work to ensure senior citizens can remain in their homes safely and affordably. Healthier Living — Larry will ensure the community has access to affordable, 24/7 quality healthcare and will continue his work to secure millions of dollars in funding for health and wellness organizations.
Female Democratic District Leader of the 70th Assembly District and former Chief of Staff for State Sen. Bill Perkins
Party Line: Time To Wake Up
Key Issues: Continue to support public education; join the fight for Gov. Cuomo to allocate $2 billion owed to New York City schools based on the Campaign for Fiscal Equity lawsuit; protect our communities from “overdevelopment” by developers; preserve HDFC’s and inform rent stabilized tenants about their rights to prevent illegal evictions; advocate for repairs in housing, especially NYCHA; maintain funding for senior centers; increase job opportunities and support funding to increase the number of youth hired year-round thru the SYEP program; increase protections for victims of domestic violence; encourage the mayor to increase contracts to minority- and women-owned businesses and support street vendors.
Businessman and Former Manhattan Community Board 9 Vice-Chair.
Party Line: Building Harlem
Key issues: Economic Development — prime contracts and jobs on large city land and real estate deals, so that small and minority- and women-owned businesses can grow and hire locally. When residents have good paying jobs and businesses are thriving, they are better equipped to have better educational and housing opportunities. Housing — working with NYCHA residents so that they have ownership, management and oversight of their homes. Affordable housing and education are inextricably tied to economics and jobs. As City Councilman, I will not vote for any city projects within my district that does not have a 30 percent prime contract and hiring goal for minority- and women-owned business.
Policy Director, Transportation Workers Union Local 100
Party Line: Holland4Harlem
Key Issues: Marvin Holland's priorities are affordable housing, jobs, education and quality-of-life concerns. If elected to the council, Marvin will use his experience as an advocate and union leader to fight to ensure community stability by protecting and creating more affordable housing, investing in NYCHA properties and ensuring quality educational choices for their families. He will work to provide new opportunities for growth for our small businesses. Marvin is committed to creating a legacy home ownership program for young native Harlem residents and preserving Harlem’s cultural heritage by speeding up the landmarking of historic buildings.
Former Director of the Northern Manhattan Office for The Manhattan Borough President and former Director of Public Policy at the National Black Leadership Commission on HIV/AIDS
Party Line: We Are One
Key Issues: The issues I will prioritize in the City Council are those that I believe represent the four pillars of a healthy community: Housing, Employment, Education and Access to Healthcare. I will work to preserve affordability of NYCHA, Mitchell Lama, HDFCs and Senior Housing. In the City Council, I will fight for fair wages and seek to create jobs through training and vocational and MBWE opportunities. I will ensure equity in public education with an eye on closing the achievement gap, and I will expand access to health and mental health services.
New York State Senator, former City Council member
Party Line: Community First
Key Issues: Improving education so every child has the chance for a good education and can attend college; Increasing affordability by protecting and creating affordable housing and making healthcare and services more accessible; Creating jobs and opportunity by increasing pay and benefits, helping small businesses grow and providing job training; and fighting back against the hate by promoting fairness, equality and justice.
Former teacher and social worker
Party Line: Dawn for Harlem, Rent Too Damn High
Key Issues: I will work with government, nonprofits, and the private sector to make housing more affordable for both renters and homeowners. I will address police-community relations, education, parking, accessibility for people with disabilities, and jobs. I believe that police officers need to go into communities and create alliances with the residents. Instead of stop-and-frisk, we need stop-and-talk. I will improve the quality of our children’s education by promoting school choice and providing internships and exposure to business and experiential learning. Our children need that exposure so they will be prepared to attend good institutions of higher education and be prepared to enter the workforce.
Real Estate Broker
Party Line: Harlem Voices
Key Issues: Homegrown Harlem kids have a system set up in place that works against us. We need to empower them with a work-related skill before they graduate high school so regardless of the career they choose, they achieve victory. Every child deserves a fair and healthy start in terms of their education and a seat in a high-quality seat in a school in their community.
