Ninth Congressional District Primary: What Brooklyn Needs To Know

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK — Brooklyn voters will head to the polls Tuesday for a primary election that decides whether Ninth Congressional District representative Yvette Clarke will remain in office.

The primary election pits Clarke, a former city councilwoman with more than a decade in office, against Adem Bunkeddeko, a 30-year-old Community Board 8 member who earned an endorsement from the New York Times.

Clarke, a co-sponsor of the Lilly Ledbetter Act and a strong Affordable Care Act supporter, focused her campaign platform on women’s rights and healthcare equality, while also promising to fight for immigrant rights and improved housing in the district.

Bunkeddeko includes these issues in a long list of causes he will fight for that also includes criminal justice reform, ending school segregation, support for the Caribbean community, gun control and improved infrastructure.

Bunkeddeko's challenge will be getting people to show up, since, as one expert told the New York Times, the number of New Yorkers who vote in primaries is typically “abysmal."

“The turnout is exceptionally low," Baruch political science professor Doug Muzzio told the New York Times. Muzzio blamed New York State’s "stupid" early voting policy — it's not allowed — for the fact that only 12 percent of eligible voters cast ballots in last year’s mayoral primaries.

But, should you decide to be one the 12 percent who heads toward a local polling station on Tuesday, here’s what you need to know.

When do I vote?
Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, June 26.

Who's on the ballot?
Incumbent Yvette Clarke will face off against her 30-year-old challenger, Adem Bunkeddeko. The primary victor has a high chance of winning the election in November, as the Ninth District traditionally votes Democratic.

Who can vote?
Only registered Democratic voters who live in the Ninth District — which covers Brownsville, Crown Heights, Flatbush, Midwood, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Sheepshead Bay and Windsor Terrace — are eligible to vote in the election between Clarke and Bunkeddeko.

Where do I vote?
Registered voters can look up their polling places on the New York City Board of Elections website.

Where can I find out about other New York City races?
Check out Patch's citywide guide to Tuesday's primaries.

Where do I find the results?
Patch will report on the election results Tuesday night.

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