Here’s What You Need To Know About Today’s General Election In New York City

It’s General Election Day in New York! While there aren’t any state or national offices up for election today, there are a number of important local elections going on across the state on the city, town, and county level.

In New York City, there’s only one citywide position that residents in all five boroughs are voting for: the office of public advocate. The public advocate serves as an ombudsperson for city residents; they can investigate complaints and and propose City Council legislation.

Public Advocate Democratic incumbent Jumaane Williams is running for reelection against Republican council member Joe Borelli and Libertarian technologist Devin Balkind. Williams is favored to win.

“It’s a showcase race,” Larry Levy, Executive Dean of the National Center for Suburban Studies at Hofstra University, explained to CBSN New York. “The person who wins it will have a statewide platform, can run for mayor.”

In Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island, residents are also voting for the office of district attorney. And in the 45th district (which encompasses Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Marine Park, Flatlands and Kensington), residents are voting on a new councilmember. Three judicial posts will also appear on certain residents’ ballots, including Civil Court justices and Supreme Court justices.

Additionally, there are several questions on the ballot:

Question 1 is for “ranked-choice voting,” which offers voters the ability to choose and rank up to five candidates in primaries and special elections.

Question 2 would allow the Civilian Complaint Review Board to investigate and prosecute officers who are suspected of lying during investigations.

Question 3 would extend the ban before officials can lobby their former agency colleagues to two years instead of one.

Question 4 would create a rainy day fund in the city’s budget.

Question 5 would make developers submit a summary of their plans for land use to local community boards earlier.

You can visit the New York City Board of Elections website to see a sample ballot and find your polling site.