Voters in Central Harlem will take to the polls on Tuesday, September 12, 2017, to cast crucial votes in this year’s Democratic primary.
Citywide, there are primaries for mayor, public advocate and nearly every city council district. Of local importance, though, is a six-person race in District 9.
Full district map here
This being New York City, the Democratic primary is generally the race that determines who will hold these seats after November’s general election. Needless to say, Tuesday is an important day for neighborhood politics.
Don’t really know anything about the election in your city council district? Don’t worry, Patch has you covered with this guide about everything you need to know to make an informed vote on Tuesday.
District 9 city council candidates:
Cordell Cleare: Cleare is a longtime political operative and activist in Harlem who has previously served as chief of staff for incumbent Bill Perkins during his first stint in the City Council and during his tenure in the State Senate. Cleare ran for District 9’s council seat during a February special election and finished in fifth place. She lists low-income housing, preservation and creation of small business and the improvement of public education as her three priority issues.
Tyson Lord-Gay: Lord-Gay is a 37-year-old social and environmental activist. Currently, Lord-Gay is a professor at New York University teaching a course on environmental justice and has previously worked at the New York Legal Aid Society. He lists low-income housing, improving public schools and making Harlem cleaner and healthier as his policy priorities.
Marvin Holland: Holland worked his way up from a subway station cleaner to become the legislative and political director for the Local 100 chapter of the Transit Workers Union of America. In February, Holland finished in second place behind incumbent Bill Perkins in a special election for District 9’s council seat. He lists affordable housing, quality of life issues and business and education as his priorities for District 9.
Bill Perkins: Perkins is a known commodity in Harlem, having served the neighborhood in elected office for most of the past 20 years. Perkins first served in the city council from 1998 to 2005 and won a February special election to return to City Hall. Between his stints in the city council Perkins served in the New York State Senate. Perkins lists improving public schools, protecting and creating affordable housing and increasing opportunities for all as his three policy priorities.
Marvin Spruill: Spruill is running on a platform to disrupt the political status quo of Harlem. He was born in District 9 and has lived within the district his entire life. Spruill lists housing and tenant rights, economic empowerment, healthcare and immigration as his priority issues.
Julius Tajiddin: Tajiddin is a neighborhood activist who previously ran for city council in 2009 against Robert Jackson. He did not submit candidate information to the city Campaign Finance Board.
Where To Vote
There are polling places across the district; your specific one depends on where you live. To find your polling place, click here and enter your address. You need to be registered as a Democrat at that address to vote in the primary.
Sample Ballot
After entering your address on that same website above, under “Primary Election – 09/12/2017,” click “Ballot Information” then choose your party. You will see your choices for all available offices.
When Can I Vote?
The elections take place on Tuesday, September 12, 2017. Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 9 p.m.
Via Patch
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