What’s on the 2025 Ballot?

By Katie McFadden

Spooky season is here! And we’re not just talking about Halloween. The New York City General Election is Tuesday, November 4, with early voting already underway through November 2 for candidates for mayor, other city positions and important proposals on the ballot. Here’s a rundown of what you’ll see if you haven’t been to the polls yet.

For Mayor, the choice is between Zohran Kwame Mamdani running on the Democrat and Working Families lines, Curtis Sliwa running on the Republican and Protect Animals lines, and Andrew Cuomo on the Fight and Deliver line. Also appearing on the ballot are Mayor Eric Adams, who ended his campaign, but still appears on the Safe&Affordable/EndAntiSemitism line and Jim Walden, who also dropped out of the race, running on the Integrity line. Lesser-known candidates, Conservative Irene Estrada and Quality of Life candidate Joseph Hernandez also appear on the ballot.

For New York City Public Advocate, current Public Advocate Jumaane Williams is running on the Democratic and Working Families lines. He’s up against Gonzalo Duran on the Republican and Conservative/United Alliance lines and Marty Dolan on The Unity line.

For City Comptroller, Mark Levine is running on the Democratic line, Peter Kefalas is on the Republican and Conservative lines and Ismael Malave Perez is running on The Unity line.

For Justice of the Supreme Court 11th Judicial District, there are seven candidates and voters have a choice of five. Among them are Sandra Perez, Ira R. Greenberg, Gary Miret, Frances Wang and Soma Syed running on the Democratic line, Gary Muraca running on the Republican and Conservative lines and Richard Felix running on the Republican line.

For Queens Borough President, current BP Donovan Richards is running on the Democratic line. He’s challenged by Henry P. Ikezi running on the Republican and United Alliance lines.

For Judge of the Civil Court – Queens County, there are six candidates and voters get to choose three. Among them are Sheridan Chu, Indira Khan and Oma D. Phillips running on the Democratic line, and William David Shanahan, Susan M. Silverman and Thomas D. Barra running on the Republican and Conservative lines.

For City Council District 32, Councilwoman Joann Ariola is running unopposed on the Republican and Conservative lines. For City Council District 31, current Councilwoman Selvena Brooks-Powers is running unopposed on the Democratic line.

And for Judge of the Civil Court – District 5th Municipal Court in Queens, Rockaway’s own Jennifer Tubridy is running unopposed on both the Democratic and Republican lines.

Don’t forget to turn your ballot over as there are six important ballot proposals. Proposal 1 is an upstate matter, but because it requires a change to the NY Constitution, it is on the ballot for all in NY. The proposal is for an “Amendment to Allow Olympic Sports Complex In Essex County on State Forest Preserve Land.” This allows skiing and related trail facilities on state forest preserve land. The site is 1,039 acres. Requires State to add 2,500 acres of new forest land in Adirondack Park. A yes vote authorizes new ski trails and related facilities in the Adirondack forest preserve. A no vote does not authorize this use.

Proposals 2-6 impact New York City directly, and 2-4 could mean big changes for the oversight of the land use approval process, giving less time for community boards to review proposals, and giving a panel of the mayor, city council speaker, borough president and City Planning the ultimate say in what projects are approved or not, rather than area city council members. Many area leaders, including both council members have urged voters to vote NO on 2-4.

Proposal 2 would “Fast Track Affordable Housing to Build More Affordable Housing Across the City.” “Yes” fast tracks applications at the Board of Standards and Appeals or City Planning Commission. “No” leaves affordable housing subject to longer review and final decision at City Council.

Proposal 3 would “Simplify Review of Modest Housing and Infrastructure Projects.” “Yes” simplifies review for limited land-use changes, including modest housing and minor infrastructure projects. “No” leaves these changes subject to longer review, with final decision by City Council.

Proposal 4 would “Establish an Affordable Housing Appeals Board with Council, Borough, and Citywide Representation.” “Yes” creates the three-member Affordable Housing Appeals Board to reflect Council, borough, and citywide perspectives. “No” leaves affordable housing subject to the Mayor’s veto and final decision by City Council.

Proposal 5 would “Create a Digital City Map to Modernize City Operations.” This would “Consolidate borough map office and address assignment functions, and create one digital City Map at Department of City Planning. Today, the City Map consists of paper maps across five offices.” “Yes” creates a consolidated, digital City Map. “No” leaves in place five separate map and address assignment functions, administered by Borough President Offices.

Proposal 6 would “Move Local Elections to Presidential Election Years to Increase Voter Participation.” “Yes” moves City elections to the same year as Federal Presidential elections, when permitted by state law. “No” leaves laws unchanged.

For more information on the ballot and where to find your polling site for early voting and the general election, head to: https://findmypollsite.vote.nyc/ or call 1-866-Vote-NYC