NYC Midterm Elections 2018: Races To Watch And How To Vote

NEW YORK — New York City voters could help re-elect a governor to a third term, send the first black attorney general to Albany and change the City Charter when they go to the polls Tuesday. Four statewide offices and a slew of seats in the state Legislature and U.S. Congress are all up for grabs in New York's midterm elections.

New Yorkers will also decide the fate of three proposed changes to the City Charter, including one controversial measure that would establish term limits for community boards.

Read on to learn more about what's at stake in the state's biggest races and about how to cast your ballot on Nov. 6.

Races To Watch

New York State Races

Governor

Incumbent: Andrew Cuomo
Challenger: Marc Molinaro

Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo is vying for a third term against Marc Molinaro, the Republican Dutchess County executive. Cuomo, who scored a September primary win over Cynthia Nixon, has run on his liberal record, arguing he'll defend New York against the attacks of President Donald Trump. But Molinaro has cast Cuomo as a bully under whom corruption has festered in making his case to voters that it's time for a change.

The two major candidates sparred in a testy and at times strange debate just two weeks before Election Day. Molinaro faces an uphill battle — Cuomo was 23 percentage points ahead in a Quinnipiac University poll published Oct. 18.

Voters can also pick from three minor-party candidates: Libertarian Larry Sharpe, the Green Party's Howie Hawkins and Stephanie Miner, the former Syracuse mayor who's running under the Serve America Movement.

The candidates are on tickets with their running mates for lieutenant governor. Incumbent Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul is with Cuomo, while Julie Killian, the former deputy mayor of Rye in Westchester County, is with Molinaro.

Attorney General

Open Seat

Public Advocate Letitia James and Manhattan attorney Keith Wofford are running for the open job once held by Eric Schneiderman, who resigned in disgrace this spring amid allegations that he abused four women. James, a Democrat, has also run against Trump, pledging to protect New Yorkers from his administration. But Wofford, a Republican, wants to bring change to a law-enforcement office that he says is too hostile to business.

Either candidate will make history as New York's first African-American attorney general. James would be the first black woman to hold the post.

Comptroller

Incumbent: Thomas DiNapoli
Challenger: Jonathan Trichter

Thomas DiNapoli, a Democrat, is running for a third full term in the office he's held since 2007. His campaign has been quiet compared to the governor's race, but he recently released a bleak report on the finances of the MTA, which Cuomo controls. His challenger is Jonathan Trichter, an investment banker and registered Democrat running on the Republican line. Trichter argues he'll be an independent comptroller who will act as a check on inefficiency and waste.

State Senate

Incumbent: Jeff Klein
Challengers: Alessandra Biaggi, Richard Ribustello, Antonio Vitiello

Alessandra Biaggi was among the six insurgent challengers who won Democratic primary elections against former members of the Independent Democratic Conference, a now-defunct group of eight breakaway Democrats who allied themselves with Senate Republicans for years. The IDC's former leader, longtime Sen. Jeff Klein, will still be on the ballot on the Independence Party line, though he hasn't shown signs of an active campaign since his September loss. Biaggi's other opponents include the Republican Richard Ribustello and the Conservative Party candidate, Antonio Vitiello.

Federal Race

U.S. Senate

Incumbent: Kirsten Gillibrand
Challenger: Chele Chiaviacci Farley

Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is seeking a second full term as New York's junior senator. She's built a national progressive profile, coming out in support of marijuana legalization and against Brett Kavanaugh's recent appointment to the Supreme Court. She's facing a challenge from the Republican Chele Farley, a partner and managing director of a private equity investment firm.

City Charter Proposals

On the back of their ballots, New Yorkers will find three proposed amendments to the City Charter proposed by Mayor Bill de Blasio's Charter Revision Commission. They would:

1. Bolster the city's public campaign finance program while reducing contribution limits for muncipal candidates who take public funds.
2. Create a new, 15-member Civic Engagement Commission charged with rolling out a citywide "participatory budgeting" program and supporting other civic engagement initiatives.
3. Limit members of the city's community boards to four consecutive two-year terms, with implementation staggered to prevent a big turnover at one time.

De Blasio, a Democrat, argues the measures will help get money out of politics and empower people and communities who get shut out of the system as it is. But the third proposal has drawn fire from some elected officials who worry term limits would undercut a local check on city government.

Read more about the Charter Revision Commission proposals here.

When To Vote

The 2018 general election will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 6, and polling sites will be open from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m.

Where To Vote

Registered voters can find their polling site by logging their address into this city website.

(Lead image: A polling station is seen in Brooklyn on Sept. 13, 2018. Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)