Harlem-Area 2023 Election Guide: See Candidates, How To Vote

NEW YORK CITY — Election Day 2023 is nearly here for voters in Harlem.

The big local race on the ballot is for the City Council District 9 seat, which is currently occupied by Kristin Richardson Jordan. Democratic candidate Yusef Salaam is running against write-in votes for the spot.

Earlier this year, incumbent KRJ dropped out of the race.

"There are many reasons for this decision," Jordan later said. "The behavior of the Harlem Machine is self centered rather that focused around community. Dealing with these bad faith actors — as well as the irresponsible journalism that amplifies them — distracts our energy from the real work."

In other races, Democratic candidates Dana Marie Catanzaro and Yael Wilkofsky are running uncontested for Judge of the Civil Court - County of New York.

Three Democrats are also running uncontested for Justice of the Supreme Court 1st Judicial District. The candidates are Phaedra F. Perry, Lyle E. Frank and Leslie A. Stroth.

Two proposals concerning debt are also on the ballot statewide.

Nov. 7 is the election itself, but city dwellers don't have to wait to cast ballots.

Saturday is both the first day of early voting and the last day applications must be received by the city's Board of Elections to be eligible to vote. Read more:

Not sure if you're registered? All you have to do is check here.

If you're registered, take a gander at Patch's guide for New York City voters.

How To Vote

Registering

Time is running out as of publication. The quickest and easiest way by the Saturday deadline is likely the new Online Voter Registration System at E-Register.Vote.NYC.

Find out more about other ways here.

Early Voting

New Yorkers have nine days to cast their ballots early running from Oct. 28 to Nov. 5.

Here are the days and hours:

• Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 28 and 29: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Monday, Oct. 30: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 31: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 1 and 2: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Friday, Nov. 3: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 4 and 5: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Voters can type their information into this poll finder website or this other one to find their early voting location, as well as their Election Day polling location.
Likewise, the New York State Board of Elections website has a tool that shows voter information and links to polling locations.

Absentee Voting

Any New York voter can request an absentee ballot, but the deadline to do so online for most potential voters has already passed.

Saturday is the last day for registration applications and absentee ballots for military voters and others who fall under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, or UOCAVA.

You may apply in-person up to the day before an election.

Once you fill out the ballot, fold it and put it in a smaller envelope. Sign and date the back of the envelope, seal it and put it in the larger envelope addressed to the Board of Elections. The ballot can then be mailed or delivered to the city's Board of Elections office.

Voters can track their ballots by clicking here.

Click here for more information from the BOE on absentee voting.

Voting On Nov. 7

Voters who choose to vote on Election Day itself can easily find their polling location by clicking here. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

What's On My Ballot?

There are several ways to look at your ballot. Go to this poll site finder website or this other poll finder.

What Happens After Nov. 8?

Nobody knows, but check Patch for updates.