Brooklyn Primary Election Guide 2018: What You Need To Know

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK — Go get your "I Voted" sticker.

New Yorkers across the state will head to the polls on Thursday, Sept. 13, to decide who gets to represent their parties in the upcoming November elections.

The race between Governor Andrew Cuomo and his challenger Cynthia Nixon has been making big headlines, but there are fierce political battles of note happening on the local level as well.

So here's a guide for Brooklynites gearing up to head toward the voting booth. Read on to find out when to vote, where to vote, and who's who on the ballot.

When To Vote

The 2018 primary election will take place on Thursday Sept. 13 and polling sites will remain open from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m.

Where To Vote

Registered voters can find their polling site by logging their address into the New York State Board of Elections website.

Who’s Who On The Ballot

Gubernatorial Race

Candidates For Governor

Incumbent: Andrew Cuomo

Challenger: Cynthia Nixon

Brooklyn Issues: Cuomo's been touting his successes wrangling funding for big Brooklyn projects such as the largest state park in the city, a $210 million investment in local hospitals and up to 3,300 affordable homes in Bed-Stuy. But he also garnered criticism for his promise to high-ranking Brooklyn rabbis not interfere with local Yeshiva schools and ad materials accusing Nixon of anti-Semitism.

Nixon launched her gubernatorial campaign in Brownsville and has since made Brooklyn some big promises, including that she'll put an end to Cuomo's "pissing contest" with Mayor Bill de Blasio over NYCHA housing and that she'll tax the rich to fix the subway. But polls show Nixon trailing far behind Cuomo and her choice to air campaign ads on 9/11 infuriated a local FDNY labor union.

Candidates For Lieutenant Governor

Incumbent: Kathy Hochul

Challenger: Jumaane Williams

Brooklyn Issues: City Councilman Jumaane Williams represents Flatbush which means he'll likely do well in Brooklyn. But Hochul, a former congresswoman who represented upstate New York, has the endorsement of the incumbent governor and major political groups, including the Vanguard Independent Democrats Association of Brooklyn. Should Williams, Nixon's running mate, and Cuomo both snag the election, he's promised to be a thorn in the governor's side.

Candidates For Attorney General

Leecia Eve, Verizon's vice president for government affairs in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut

Letitia James, New York City's public advocate

Sean Patrick Maloney, congressman representing the Hudson Valley

Zephyr Teachout, law professor at Fordham University

Brooklyn Issues: James, who is backed by Cuomo and the state Democratic Party, is the candidate with the closest ties to Brooklyn. She's in her second term as New York City's public advocate, represented Brooklyn's 35th city council district and previously led the attorney general's Brooklyn regional office. But she faces stiff competition from Teachout, who's backed by Nixon and the New York Times, and Maloney, the first openly gay U.S. representative from New York and who worked for former governors Eliot Spitzer and David Paterson.

Brooklyn State Senate Races

State Senate District 17

Neighborhoods: Kensington, Borough Park, Midwood
Incumbent: Simcha Felder
Challenger: Blake Morris

The Issues: Felder, the longstanding incumbent, sparked outrage among Democrats this year when decided to caucus with Republicans after the disbandment of the Independent Democratic Conference. He's also the powerbroker behind decisions to stall the Child Victims Act and the school zone speed camera bill. But with the Hasidic community and more than $500,000 in campaign donations behind him, Felder will prove a difficult candidate to beat. Morris, a Brooklyn attorney, has since earned the endorsement of the New York Times and told Gothamist he's making inroads among Orthodox voters. With Democrats battling to regain control of the state Senate, this will be a race to watch.

State Senate District 18

Neighborhoods: Bushwick, Cypress Hills, Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Bed-Stuy
Incumbent: Martin Malave Dilan
Challenger: Julia Salazar

The Issues: Julia Salazar, a Democratic socialist, hitched her wagon to a trail of young, bright-eyed progressive newcomers making headlines for their upset political victories. She cast herself as the candidate to fight the onslaught of gentrification in north Brooklyn. But the 27-year-old's campaign has been rocky, with questions about her religion, family background, a scandal involving Mets player Keith Hernandez and alleged degree from Columbia University causing some of her initial backers to step back.

State Senate District 20

Neighborhoods: Crown Heights, Brownsville, parts of Sunset Park and Gowanus
Incumbent: Jesse Hamilton
Challenger: Zellnor Myrie

The Issues: Jesse Hamilton, a former member of the Independent Democratic Conference, is fighting to prove to Brooklyn he's got progressive credentials. Zellnor Myrie, an attorney and former Legislative Director in the New York City Council, has attacked Hamilton for his connection to the controversial political group, promised Brooklyn he'll fight for fair housing above all else, and earned a New York Times endorsement. But Hamilton has gotten a political boost from a recent incident on a Flatbush street corner, where a Trump supporter called 911 on him because he was campaigning outside. Hamilton's proposed legislation, which would make such 911 calls a hate crime, made national news and earned him support from community members who chanted "IDC - I don't care," at a recent town hall meeting.

State Senate District 22

Neighborhood: Bay Ridge
Candidates: Ross Barkan and Andrew Gounardes

The Issues: Both these Democratic candidates are hoping to challenge Republican incumbent Marty Golden in November. Barkan, a journalist making his first run at public office, and Gounardes, an attorney who serves as chief counsel to Borough President Eric Adams, are running a tight race. Barkan is painting himself as a true grassroots candidate who will be able to act independently in Albany. Gounardes, meanwhile, argues his political credentials make it more likely he can win against the Republican incumbent both men hope to unseat.

Brooklyn State Assembly Races

State Assembly District 42

Neighborhoods: Flatbush, Ditmas Park
Incumbent: Rodeyse Bichotte
Challenger: Victor Jordan

The Issues: Bichotte, the first Haitian-American to be elected to the State Legislature from New York City, is likely to win this primary against her challenger, a former Boys and Girls High School teacher, but will face off against community activist Anthony Beckford of the Green Party in November.

State Assembly District 46

Neighborhoods: Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Coney Island
Candidates: Mathylde Frontus and Ethan Lustig-Elgrably

The Issues: Frontus, the founder of Urban Neighborhood Services, and Lustig-Elgraby, Council Member Mark Treyger’s former chief of staff, both hope to fill the seat left vacant by Pamela Harris, the Democrat who resigned in April after she was indicted on fraud and corruption charges. Check out Bklyner's coverage of the candidates' debate here.

State Assembly District 53

Neighborhoods: Bushwick, East Williamsburg
Incumbent: Maritza Davila
Challenger: Humberto Soto

The Issues: Davila has spent her term in office focusing on affordable housing, a hot button issue in north Brooklyn. She's likely to win as her opponent does not appear to have campaigned.

State Assembly District 60

Neighborhood: East New York
Incumbent: Charles Barron
Challenger: Jaytee Spurgeon

The Issues: Barron, a former city councilman and community activist, is likely to win this race as his opponent does not appear to have campaigned.

Voters cast their ballots in New York in November 2016. Photo courtesy of Michael Reaves/Getty Images