2024 Election: Early Voting Kicks Off in Manhattan — A Look Beyond Harris vs. Trump

The 2024 election cycle is officially underway in New York, as early voting starts today, allowing Manhattanites to begin casting their ballots ahead of the Nov. 5 Election Day. While the intense presidential showdown between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump takes the spotlight, Manhattan voters will also face a variety of down-ballot races and ballot proposals covering critical local and state offices. From the U.S. Senate to City Charter amendments, voters in this traditionally blue borough have essential choices, shaping New York’s legislative landscape for the coming years.

Presidential Spotlight and Statewide Influence

At the top of New York’s ballot is the high-profile presidential race. Vice President Kamala Harris, joined by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on the Democratic ticket, competes against Republican candidate Donald Trump and his running mate, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance. With Trump holding a rally at Madison Square Garden in a final bid to make gains in the historically Democratic state, he’s aiming to energize his base and present a Republican alternative. However, winning New York remains a significant challenge for the GOP; the Empire State has consistently voted Democratic in presidential elections since Ronald Reagan’s 1984 victory.

The candidate who wins New York will secure its 26 electoral votes as part of the larger goal of reaching 270 nationwide. According to the U.S. Constitution and the Electoral Count Act, the election results will be finalized in Congress on January 6, 2025.

Key Senate and House Contests in New York

One of the major down-ballot races is the U.S. Senate race, where incumbent Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand, in office since 2009, is seeking re-election. Gillibrand faces two challengers: Republican candidate Mike Sapraicone, a former NYPD officer from Long Island, and Diane Sare, a third-party candidate representing the LaRouche party. Although Gillibrand is expected to retain her seat in New York’s Democratic stronghold, her campaign has underscored priorities like healthcare access, climate action, and economic equity.

Also on the ballot are seats for three Congressional districts covering Manhattan:

• 10th District: Democrat Rep. Dan Goldman, who won his seat in a closely watched race, faces opposition from Alexander Dodenhoff, a Republican from the Lower East Side, and Conservative candidate Paul Briscoe of Brooklyn.
• 12th District: Veteran Congressman Jerry Nadler represents the Upper East Side and is being challenged by Republican Michael Zumbluskas.
• 13th District: Rep. Adriano Espaillat, representing Harlem and portions of the Bronx, is up against Republican and Conservative candidate Ruben Vargas.

State Legislature Contests Shape New York’s Future

Manhattan’s New York State Senate and Assembly representatives are also on the ballot. Some of these races are competitive, while others are not, as incumbents seek re-election in their solidly Democratic districts:

• State Senate: Several Senate seats in Manhattan are contested. State Senator Liz Krueger in the 28th District faces Republican challenger Louis Puliavito. At the same time, in the 29th District, State Senator Jose Serrano contends with Tanya Carmichael, running on Republican and Conservative lines. In the 47th District, Brad Hoylman-Sigal is challenged by Republican Emily Yuexin Miller.
• Assembly Races: Assembly seats are also up for grabs, with several notable contested races. In the 70th District, Democratic nominee Jordan J.G. Wright is vying against Republican Seson Adams. Meanwhile, Al Taylor in the 71st District faces a challenge from Republican Joziel Andujar, and Alex Bores, representing the 73rd District, seeks a second term against Republican Awadhesh Gupta.

Several other Assembly candidates run unopposed, including Grace Lee, Deborah Glick, and Linda Rosenthal, who are expected to continue representing their respective districts.

Judicial Seats and Civil Court Appointments

Aside from legislative races, Manhattanites will vote on judicial positions, with candidates vying for New York Supreme Court and Civil Court seats. In each of these races, Democratic candidates are running unopposed, making their election a formality in the heavily Democratic borough. Voters will choose:

• Supreme Court, 1st Judicial District: Electing two from the slate, with candidates Cynthia Sharon Kern and Gerald Lebovits expected to fill the seats.
• Civil Court Countywide: Voters are instructed to pick six candidates, including Louis Nock, Malaika Scott-McLaughlin, and Allison Greenfield.
• Municipal Civil Courts: Several seats across Manhattan districts are also open, with candidates Ilona Coleman, Alice Tam Tien, and Jose Padilla Jr. running unopposed.

Six Ballot Proposals Shape Future City Policies

In addition to candidate choices, six ballot proposals focus on reforms that could impact both the state constitution and city operations:

• Proposal 1: A statewide amendment proposing an Equal Rights Amendment, which would safeguard against discrimination based on ethnicity, gender, and additional categories while also protecting reproductive rights.
• Proposal 2: Granting the Department of Sanitation more authority over waste management and street cleanliness in New York City.
• Proposal 3 and Proposal 4 seek to enhance transparency in fiscal analysis and public safety legislation. They require the City Council to conduct and publish financial assessments before approving laws related to police, fire, and correctional departments.
• Proposal 5: Calls for a structured review of city-owned facilities, aiming to improve capital planning and maintenance reporting.
• Proposal 6: Proposes the establishment of a Chief Business Diversity Officer to support minority and women-owned businesses and streamline office permits for filming in the city.

Voting Information

With early voting running from Oct. 26 through Nov. 3, New Yorkers can cast their ballots at designated locations across Manhattan. Election Day is set for Nov. 5, with polling sites open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. To find a nearby voting site or answer any questions, visit vote.nyc or call 212-VOTE-NYC. For Manhattan voters eager to make their voices heard on these critical issues, the stakes are high in every race, from the presidential ticket down to local measures on this year’s ballot.