NYC Voter Deadline to Register For Primaries This Friday

The deadline to register to vote for New York primaries next month is midnight this Friday, August 19. On the ballot are all statewide offices, such as assembly members and senators.

For heavily Democratic areas in New York City, the primary usually produces the winner of the general election, making voting on Sept. 13 as important as voting in November.

Some notable races in Brooklyn include a new assemblyman for Midwood to replace the retiring James Brennan. About 12 percent of the district, which includes parts of Kensington, is Orthodox.

There is a state judge’s race in Boro Park. Candidates include Mordechai Avigdor, a former counsel for Agudath Israel of America, and attorneys Ruchie Freier and Jill Epstein.

In a move that is nearly unprecedented, state Sen. Simcha Felder is running unopposed in the Democratic, Republican and Conservative party lines.

There are also district leader races, internal party positions which wield vast control over selecting candidates for local offices. With Assemblyman Dov Hikind’s blessing, his new communications aide, David Schwartz, is aiming to replace him as district leader. Several other candidates hope to challenge him as write-in candidates.

In Rockland and Orange counties, several Assembly races will be decided in the Democratic primary. Rockland County legislator Aron Wieder is again challenging Assemblyman Karl Brabenec for the seat that encompasses Kiryas Joel. He lost the race by 68 votes two years ago.

Residents can check if they are registered to vote at voterlookup.elections.state.ny.us. One can register to vote at the DMV website or by calling 1-800-FOR-VOTE and requesting a form.

This article appeared in print on page 31 of the August 17th, 2016 edition of Hamodia.