NYC Public Advocate Special Election: How To Vote, Who’s Running

NEW YORK — One of New York City’s most unique elected offices is up for grabs in a special election on Tuesday. Voters will go to the polls to choose from among 17 candidates for public advocate, a citywide post that has been vacant for nearly two months.
Mayor Bill de Blasio called the Feb. 26 special election to fill the job Letitia James left to become the state attorney general.

The brief race has drawn a wide range of candidates, from a Trump-supporting attorney to a Democratic city councilman fresh off a run for lieutenant governor.

In alphabetical order, the candidates are:
— Manny Alicandro, attorney
— Michael Blake, state assemblyman
— David Eisenbach, professor
— Rafael Espinal, city councilman
— Tony Herbert, community activist
— Ron Kim, state assemblyman
— Nomiki Konst, activist and journalist
— Melissa Mark-Viverito, former City Council speaker
— Daniel O’Donnell, state assemblyman
— Jared Rich, attorney
— Ydanis Rodriguez, city councilman
— Helal Sheikh, former City Council candidate
— Dawn Smalls, former Obama administration staffer
— Eric Ulrich, city councilman
— Latrice Walker, state assemblywoman
— Jumaane Williams, city councilman
— Benjamin Yee, civics teacher

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The public advocate is first in line to succeed the mayor but has limited authority under the City Charter. He or she can introduce legislation, hold public hearings and conduct inquiries into city agencies.

But the job has also served as a bully pulpit — and a springboard to higher office. Two of the four people to hold it have moved up the political ladder: James and Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Tuesday’s winner is only guaranteed to hold the job until the end of this year. They will have to win a primary election later this year and a general election in November to secure the last two years of James’s term.

The campaign has already proven expensive for the city. As of Thursday the Campaign Finance Board had paid more than $7.1 million to candidates participating in its donation matching program. That’s nearly twice the $3.6 million budget for the public advocate’s office this fiscal year.

Williams, a Brooklyn Democrat, has emerged as the leader of the crowded pack. While his primary challenge to Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul was unsuccessful last year, he won more votes in New York City and boosted his profile.

Other candidates went after Williams in last week’s final televised debate, suggesting he’s the one to beat, and he’s recently racked up endorsements from The New York Times and Cynthia Nixon, his former running mate.

But he’s facing new questions this week about a 2009 arrest stemming from a domestic dispute from his then-girlfriend.

Here’s what New Yorkers need to know about when, where and how to vote in this unusual election.

When Are The Polls Open?

As with other elections in the city, polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Who Can Vote?

The special election is nonpartisan, so it’s open to all registered voters. The candidates will appear under their own unique political party names, such as “Fix the MTA” or “No Amazon.”

Where Do I Vote?

Just head to your typical polling place while the polls are open. You can find your polling site here.