Election Day Alert: Vote For Public Advocate Tomorrow, February 26

BROOKLYN — New York City residents will cast their votes tomorrow, Tuesday, February 26, for the city’s next public advocate in a special election to fill the seat Letitia James left after she was sworn in as the New York State attorney general on Jan. 1, 2019.

As the special election goes, the candidate will serve until December 31, 2019. New Yorkers will vote again during a primary election in June and a general election this November to determine who will serve out the remaining term, up in 2021. Very few people vote in special elections, so the votes cast by select few will determine who will be speaking up for us and keeping an eye on the Mayor (and taking over should the Mayor not be able to complete his term).

There are 17 candidates on the ballot but technically only 16 people are running after  Assemblywoman Latrice Walker bowed out of the race last month. The candidates are a mix of activists and current city and state lawmakers from all over the city, except no one from Staten Island, stepped up to the challenge.

There are two Republicans in the race and the rest are Democrats but no candidate could run under traditional Party lines. Instead, the 16 hopefuls had to choose chose their own Party mantras. You can see you each candidate and their slogans on this sample ballot. You can see where each candidate stands on the issues facing the city here and here.

Check here for your poll site location. Doors open at 6:00 am and close at 9:00 pm. Any irregularities – tag us on social @bklyner or email Kadia@bklyner.com.

The public advocate serves as an ombudsman for all New Yorkers by monitoring and investigating city services and monitor the operation of public information and service complaint programs, according to the website.

Sample Ballot – NYC Public Advocate Special Election by Kadia Goba/Bklyner on Scribd