Polls are officially open across the Bronx as voters head to the ballot box on Primary Election Day.
New Yorkers headed to the polls Tuesday for the city’s primary election, with voting taking place from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. State election law allows any voter who is in line by the time polls close to remain and cast their ballot.
Because New York operates under a closed primary system, only voters enrolled in a political party may vote in that party’s primary. Residents can verify their polling place through the New York City Board of Elections.
Voters who requested absentee ballots must ensure they are postmarked by June 23 or delivered to a polling site, early voting location or Board of Elections office before the 9 p.m. deadline.
Races we’re watching:
In the Bronx, we’re closely watching congressional primaries for NY-13, NY-14 and NY-15, which covers the South, East and West Bronx.
In NY-13 — A split-borough between the Manhattan neighborhoods of Harlem, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill, Hamilton Heights, the Upper West Side and the Bronx neighborhoods of Kingsbridge, Bedford Park, University Heights, Morris Heights, Fordham, Jerome Park and Norwood. Darializa Avila Chevalier will take on incumbent Adriano Espaillat.
In NY-14 — A split-borough district that includes the Queens neighborhoods of Astoria, Elmhurst and Jackson Heights and the Bronx neighborhoods of Hunts Point, Mott Haven, Parkchester and Throggs Neck. Democrats Felipe Garcia and Marty Dolan will challenge incumbent Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), who was the youngest woman ever elected to Congress when she took office in 2019.
In NY-15 — A district that covers the Bronx neighborhoods of Allerton, Baychester, Belmont, Fordham, Highbridge, Melrose, Morrisania, Mott Haven, Norwood, Riverdale, Spuyten Duyvil and Tremont. Michael Blake and Jose Vega will be challenging incumbent Ritchie Torres.
Several Assembly contests are also drawing attention.
In AD-81 —District 81 represents the Bronx neighborhoods of Woodlawn, Norwood, Riverdale, Kingsbridge, Wakefield, Van Cortlandt Village, Marble Hill and Spuyten Duyvil. The candidates are Jeffrey Dinowitz, the longtime incumbent who has served since 1994, and Morgan Evers, a school teacher, community organizer, and disability rights advocate.
In AD-82 — The district includes Co-op City, Pelham Bay, Throggs Neck, Country Club, Edgewater Park and surrounding East Bronx neighborhoods. Voters will choose between three candidates: incumbent Michael Benedetto and challengers Jake Kuhl and Felix Omozusi.
In D-29 — New York’s 29th State Senate district is represented by Democrat José M. Serrano. The district covers parts of Manhattan: including East Harlem, Yorkville, Roosevelt Island, and parts of the Upper West Side and in the Bronx: Mott Haven, Melrose and Highbridge
Early morning voting
Latasha Wright, a Bronx Community Board 4 member, has lived in the Bronx for 20 years voted around 9 a.m. She says it’s important to make sure your voice is counted.
“People died so I could vote. I think we take for granted that this is something we can always do, but it’s not,” Wright said.
Wright said that in her district, she worried about food and housing insecurity, even for co-op owners. “The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer.”
She says she’s noticed the South Bronx being gentrified in a steady way and is worried about who will be able to afford staying in the Bronx. It’s why voting in the primaries is important, according to Wright. When people don’t show up for them, “It’s like expecting a meal without doing the prep.”
Jocelyn Padgett, 33, has lived in the South Bronx for 4 years. She says voting is “extremely important” and that there isn’t nearly enough emphasis on local elections. “This is where you really have a voice,” she told the Bronx Times.
Padgett voted for AOC because she thought she would have the best chance of winning. She said she wants to support candidates who advocate for regular, working people who don’t make six figures. She’s concerned about rising housing costs.
“I feel like this is one of the last places where it feels like home,” Padgett said, adding that Mott Haven is a special community. “There’s truly nothing like the Bronx. Thats why people go so hard for it.”
Low turnout, afternoon voters favor keeping incumbents in office
Debbie Smith has lived in Throgs Neck for 14 years, and came out to vote with her husband after 1 p.m. Smith told the Bronx Times that she voted for Michael Benedetto, AOC and Tom DiNapoli. “So we can keep the people that we already voted for in the past, in our district.”
Her major concerns reflect voters across the borough — affordability.
Anna Hirschfield, is a longtime poll site worker. She came to set up at 5 a.m. and also voted herself. She declined to share who she voted for but is a Democrat.
She’s most concerned about public safety, which has affected her neighborhood and family members.
“I just want the voters, everybody, to come out and vote.”
Rory Slattery and her daughter Morgan, Throggs Neck natives, came to vote in the afternoon. In AD-82, Slattery placed her vote for Jake Kuhl.
“I think the district is ready for a change. We’ve had the same people in office for a very long time. And I think we need new ideas, new movement, people who care.”
On AOC, Slattery said she thinks she’s no longer representing local issues.
“I think she’s pushing her own agenda, to be quite honest with you. We’re worried about the bigger pitch picture. You know, nationally, and not so much locally. I don’t think she represents this district.”
Hamadl Bance, who has lived in Throgs Neck since 1995 came to vote in the afternoon because he said we are in a “state of emergency” with the country.
Bance says he never misses an election, especially this year. He wants as many young people to vote this year as possible.
“With the way the politics is going on right now in the world. The country needs a say in that, especially when the younger people need to vote.”
After-work voters trickle in as polls enter final hours
Rayon Ferguson, a Co-op City resident came out to vote for the first time. He wants to see money go back into the community, not towards programs or things that doesn’t benefit the Bronx.
“First time. First time ever, like, you know, I wanted to see what it is, and I like my community. As I got older, I’m starting to realize, like, all right, our community needs help,” he said.
Johan May, a lifelong Co-op City resident said he tries to make a point to vote in every election. He doesn’t think enough people do, and he tries to encourage everyone to vote. He voted for Jake Kuhl this election cycle.
“[Benedetto’s] been around a while, and sometimes you need new blood to shake things up, get something started, ’cause you can’t have the old regime doing the same old thing over and over again. You gotta try something,” May said.
Charles Leake has been a Co-op City resident for 28 years. He comes out for every single election. He’s concerned about affordability, particularly when it comes to healthcare, life insurance and health insurance.
“As far as I’m concerned, I’m just hoping that the government can help to resolve some of those, some of those challenges and issues that we have going on right now. You know? But we have to pray and keep moving forward. But if we don’t all get a be part of it, then we can’t complain about it,” Leake said.
Edward, 22, voted for Michael Blake at BronxWorks Community Center. He says that people his age don’t vote, unless it’s a presidential election, but it’s something he tries to do whenever he can.
“I liked that Michael Blake had a previous alliance with Mamdani, that was a big fact… I’m not really a big fan of the fact that Richie Torres has received a lot of money from my AIPAC and other Israel affiliated lobbies. That’s kind of a turnoff for me, or really a turnoff.”
Salamata, 21, a Bronx native, voted in the evening.
“Today I voted it’s really important to get your voice out make it heard. I’m just making sure I’m researching my candidates and making my voice heard. If you went to a watch party this week for the Knicks or Love Island, make sure you go out and vote,” she said.
Charles Lewis, a Co-op City resident since 1982, said he feels like it’s his civil duty to vote.
Lewis said he noticed the low turn-out for this election “we fought, you know, we as people are colorful for the right to vote. And it’s, like, I feel it’s my civic duty to be able to go. And that’s the reason why I came out into it.”
“People are just sour on politicians, in general. They don’t think they really have their best interest at heart. They just think that, you know, they just want to get elected and just do whatever, but I think that could be probably one of many reasons why people just don’t care,” he said.
With reporting by Emily Swanson, Maurice Burbridge and Marina Samuel.
