Brooklyn Paper’s 2025 General Election Voter Guide: How and where to vote, who’s on the ballot, and more

The Nov. 4 general election is in two weeks, and while the much-hyped mayoral election is dominating headlines, there are a number of local races for Brooklynites to be aware of, too.

Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso is facing a Republican challenger, and Brooklyn is home to a number of heated City Council races — like the one in District 47, where Republican George Sarantopoulos and Democrat Kayla Santosuosso will face off over Justin Brannan’s soon-to-be-vacated seat.

Here’s a breakdown of where, when, and how to vote in the election, and details on each contested election in Brooklyn this year. Uncontested races with only one candidate — like certain City Council races and the District Attorney’s race – may still appear on your ballot, but are not included here.

When is the election, and how can I vote?

Election Day and early voting

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4, and polls will be open that day from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. If you are in line at 9 p.m., you can still vote even after the polls officially close! Visit the New York City Board of Elections website to find your poll site, and remember that your poll site this year may be different from previous elections.

Early voting begins on Saturday, Oct. 25, and runs through Sunday, Nov. 2. Early voting hours differ each day. On Oct. 25-27, Oct. 30, and Nov. 1-2, polls are open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. On Oct. 28-29, polls are open 10 a.m.-8 p.m., and on Oct. 31, they’re open 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Use the BOE website to find your early voting location, which is probably different from your Election Day poll site.

people voting — Brooklynites can vote by mail, vote early, or head to the polls on Election Day on Nov. 4.File photo by Lloyd Mitchell

You can also vote early by mail or vote absentee. Voters can request early mail and absentee ballots online through Oct. 25, and can apply for an absentee ballot in-person at the county Board of Elections until Nov. 3. Absentee and early mail ballots must be postmarked or dropped off at the county BOE office by Nov. 4, or can be dropped off at an early voting or Election Day poll site.

You can check your voter registration on the BOE website, and can register to vote online until Oct. 25 or in-person at a county BOE office. Registration by mail is also open until Oct. 25, and mail-in voter registration forms can be picked up at your local post office, library, or DMV; or can be downloaded and printed at home, then mailed.

Who’s running?

Borough President:

— Antonio Reynoso (incumbent) – Democrat/Working Families Party

A former Council Member, Reynoso took office as Brooklyn Borough President in 2022. As beep, Reynoso has focused on affordability and equity — especially in healthcare and housing. In 2023, he released the “Comprehensive Plan for Brooklyn,” which laid out guidelines for addressing housing and public health issues through zoning and development. Reynoso has also championed maternal health, having provided significant funding to maternal health programs at local hospitals, running community baby showers where local parents-to-be can get free baby supplies and resources, and partnering with Brooklyn College to create a new Advanced Certificate in Perinatal Health. “I’m running for re-election because the work I’ve started is far from finished,” Reynoso said on his campaign website. “I ran on the promise of creating ‘a Brooklyn for all’ and I remain committed to that vision.”

— Janine Acquafredda – Republican/Conservative

A longtime New York City resident, Acquafredda is a small business owner and real estate broker and investor seeking public office for the first time. Acquafredda says she wants to create new programs to support first-time home buyers and advocate for a “task-track” system in housing court for small property owners dealing with rent nonpayment and lease violations. She has also proposed streamlining regulation and reducing taxes for local businesses, and has strong stances on animal welfare and affordability for pet owners and rescues

“I’m running for Brooklyn Borough President to bring real solutions to housing, public safety, and affordability — and fresh leadership that gets people with different goals to come together and get things done,” Acquafredda says on her website.

City Council:

new york city hall — Dozens of candidates are running to represent Brooklynites in the City Council. File photo by Ethan Stark-Miller

Council District 35 – Crown Heights, Prospect Heights, Clinton Hill, Fort Greene

– Crystal Hudson (incumbent) – Democrat/Working Families Party

Hudson, a third-generation Brooklynite, was elected to represent District 35 in 2021 and won re-election handily in 2023. The chair of the City Council’s Committee on Aging, Hudson has focused particularly on the welfare of seniors, public health, and LGBTQ+ rights. She authored the legislative package “Black Agenda for New York City,” and helped create the Marsha & Sylvia Plan. Hudson also launched a community-led development plan for District 35 and spearheaded the passage of the Atlantic Avenue Mixed Use Plan, which is slated to bring 4,600 new units of housing to the neighborhood.

“From a young age, my mother instilled in me that power is in community, that community is love, and that community is also a verb,” Hudson said on her campaign website. “When there is no one to fight for us but us, community becomes action. It is where we come from and who we want to be. Community keeps us safe. And community keeps us going.”

— Benny Rosenberger – Conservative

A district resident of half a century and a member of Brooklyn Community Board 9, Rosenberger — who does not have a campaign website — has said in interviews and surveys that he wants to “return power to [the district’s] citizens and primary stakeholders.”

In his responses to a survey by BallotPedia, Rosenberger said he has raised a family in District 35, and understands the challenges facing residents. His primary concern, per the survey, is reducing government control over citizens, and he believes council members should “advocate for their constituents against abuse of power by the executive brand of the city.” He said he supports increasing beat police presence in the neighborhood, wants to make local homeowners part of the city’s rezoning process, and supports school choice and vouchers.

— Hector Robertson – United Alliance (independent)

A longtime Brooklyn resident and the son of Jamaican and Panamanian immigrants, Robertson ran in the Democratic primary this summer but lost to Hudson. He says his commitment to public service began when he saw neighbors dealing with harassment from landlords and struggling to keep their homes, and founded the Washington Avenue Botanic Block Association and the Crown Heights Community Council to provide support and resources to locals in need.

Robertson’s platform is largely focused on housing, with a focus on creating more low-income housing, increasing community input on rezoning and developments, improving the NYCHA repair and oversight process, and more. The candidate also advocates for criminal justice reform, healthcare improvements and supports for seniors and disabled Brooklynites, and workers’ rights.

Council District 38 – Red Hook, parts of Park Slope, Sunset Park, Borough Park, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach

— Alexa Avilés (incumbent) – Democrat/Working Families Party

A Democratic Socialist who grew up in East New York and has lived in Sunset Park for 20 years, Avilés was first elected to the City Council in 2021, and has focused on housing, environmental issues, and quality-of-life concerns in southern Brooklyn. She has introduced bills to regulate last-mile delivery warehouses, prevent cruise ships from sending pollutants into the air while docked in New York City; and has passed legislation related to transparency of the city’s housing voucher program, accountability for private companies that manage NYCHA buildings, and more.

If re-elected, Avilés says she will continue to fight for universal childcare and education funding; expand tenant protections and community real estate ownership, and continue to make southern Brooklyn more resilient to climate change.

— Luis E. Quero – Republican/Conservative

Brooklyn native and bank executive Luis E. Quero says he’s ready to leave corporate life for City Hall. On his campaign site, Quero describes himself as a “proven leader who prioritizes integrity, innovation, self improvement and community empowerment.” His platform is multifaceted — if elected, he says he will fund trade schools and “kick out” failing schools” in favor of charter schools; reduce “socialist” city taxes; and build new parks and a community center. Quero is also against homeless shelters and drug clinics, and says he would oppose any new facilities proposed for the district; believes the city should prioritize low and moderate-income co-op developments for affordable housing; and wants to “vet out nonsense nonprofits” and reallocate their funding.

Council District 39 – Kensington, Borough Park, Windsor Terrace, Park Slope, Gowanus, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill, Columbia Waterfront District

— Shahana Hanif (incumbent) – Democrat/Working Families Party

A born-and-raised Brooklynite and the daughter of Bangladeshi immigrants, Hanif was first elected in 2021 — succeeding former Council Member Brad Lander, whose office she worked in for several years before she decided to run herself.

The co-chair of the Council’s Progressive Caucus and its Task Force to Combat Hate, Hanif has honed in on reproductive and immigrant rights in New York City. She wrote and passed legislation to strengthen access to reproductive and abortion care for residents and visitors and wrote the “Workers’ Bill of Rights,” an effort to ensure immigrant workers were informed of their rights. In the district, Hanif fought to construct new pedestrian plazas and bike lanes, secured local funding for schools and parks, and helps to support the Gowanus Rezoning Oversight Task Force.

— Brett Wynkoop – Conservative

Wynkoop, a technical resource specialist who has been linked to the far-right Oathkeepers, may be a familiar name for voters, having run for elected office in the neighborhood several times in recent years. His campaign website is scarce, and features his pledge to the “Common Sense Contract Contract with NYC,” a remnant from his last state Assembly run. As part of that contract, Wynkoop has said he will work to repeal the city’s sanctuary city status, decrease “burdensome” economic regulations, and support school choice. Separately, Wynkoop says he supports “medical freedom” and “medical privacy” related to healthcare procedures like vaccines, and wants to create jobs by increasing local industrial businesses and large-scale indoor farming.

— Nickie Kane – Voters First (independent)

Kane, a lifelong New Yorker and grassroots organizer who ran in the Democratic primary and lost to Hanif, says on her campaign website that she decided to run for City Council after having “too many bad experiences dealing with city agencies.”

If elected, Kane says she will advocate for animal rights, support no-kill shelters, and advocate “Penny’s Law,” which would crack down on “negligent” handling of dogs and require that dogs in New York City be leashed; fight for universal childcare and funding for childcare centers and teachers. She also supports cracking down on grocery store price gauging and large rent increases to keep everyday costs manageable for New Yorkers.

— Matthew I. Morgan – Libertarian

Morgan, a New Jersey native and graduate of Hofstra University, said in response to BallotPedia’s candidate survey that his campaign is “all about repealing draconian laws and regulations in order to turn NYC into a modern city.”

His signature policy is abolishing all zoning regulations, which he says have led to the housing crisis and are marred by racism. Morgan similarly wants to streamline business permitting processes and incentivize developers to build smaller, less expensive commercial spaces for new businesses. He wants to make city streets more bike-friendly and improve public transit to reduce dependence on private cars, and says he will work to keep federal immigration authorities out of the district and ensure immigrants can find fair work and housing.

Council District 41 – Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brownsville, East Flatbush, Crown Heights, Ocean Hill

— Darlene Mealy (incumbent) – Democrat

Mealy was first elected to represent District 41 in 2006, and served until 2017 before being term-limited out. In 2021, Mealy ran to represent District 41 again, unseating then-incumbent Alicka Ampry-Samuel. The chair of the Council’s Subcommittee on Senior Centers and Food Insecurity, Mealy during her first term in office authored laws on employment discrimination.

Though Mealy has won re-election several times and this year won out over several primary challengers, she has also been criticized for being absentee, regularly missing City Council meetings and failing to handle constituent issues. Mealy only wrote and introduced one bill in the 2022-23 Council term, and has not introduced any legislation in 2024-25.

— Yehuda Shaffer – United Alliance (independent)

A local paramedic and community activist, Shaffer says on his campaign website that he’s running “to fight for a government that answers your calls, respects your family, and delivers real help where it’s needed most.”

Schaffer’s campaign is largely built around city responsiveness, and he says he wants to improve the timeliness of replies to emails and calls and solve local issues promptly. His campaign site is relatively light on specifics, but says he wants to build more truly affordable housing, provide “humane” homeless shelters that lead to stable housing, stop price gouging, and empower EMS to “connect residents with the right care.”

“If nothing changes, City Hall will keep ignoring you! Keep ignoring us!” Schaffer says on his campaign site. “Families will keep struggling with housing, safety, education and servies meant to make our lives better!”

Council District 42 – East New York, Starrett City, Brownsville, Canarsie, Remsen Village, East Flatbush

— Chris Banks (incumbent) – Democrat

A lifelong Brooklyn resident born and raised in East New York, Banks was elected to his first term in the City Council in 2023. Before he was elected, Banks founded the anti-poverty group East New York United Concerned Citizens Inc., served as president of the 75th Precinct Community Council, and was a member of Community Board 5. In his first term on the City Council, Banks has focused on supporting NYCHA residents and complexes and introduced resolutions calling on the state to implement legislation that would more closely monitor the impact of PACT/RAD conversions and passed a bill that would require the city to notify recipients of emergency assistance rental grants that their applications had been approved.

“Seeing the community through a grassroots lens, Chris believes conditions could be made better by building community-based power through partnership and collaboration while identifying ways to amplify the voices of the traditionally unheard,” his Council site reads. “It has always been Chris’ philosophy that strong advocacy is essential when fighting for the needs of the community.”

— Davon L. Phillips – Freedom (independent)

Phillips does not have a campaign website or online presence, and has not filled out online candidate surveys. He ran for City Council in Manhattan in 2023.

Council District 44 – Borough Park, Midwood, Gravesend, Bensonhurst

— Simcha Felder (incumbent) – Democrat/Conservative

Simcha Felder, a veteran conservative Democrat from Borough Park, is running for reelection after winning a special election to fill Assembly Member Kalman Yeger’s vacant City Council seat earlier this year. A former Council member and state senator, Felder cites decades of experience delivering results for his community. He has secured funding for local schools, protected small businesses and championed senior and immigrant services. His priorities for District 44 include safe streets, strong schools, affordable housing and support for working families.

— Heshy Tischler – Republican/Trump MAGA (independent)

Heshy Tischler, a lifelong South Brooklyn resident, is looking for a rematch. The Trump-backed, Republican candidate and conservative radio host is once again challenging Felder, following a losing campaign in the special election earlier this year. Tischler has focused on issues including public safety, support for yeshivas and religious schools and tax relief for families and seniors. His campaign priorities include fully funding the NYPD, protecting religious freedom and addressing quality-of-life concerns in the district.

Council District 45 – Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Flatlands, and parts of Kensington, Marine Park, Canarsie

— Farah Louis (incumbent) – Democrat

A lifelong Brooklynite and daughter of Haitian immigrants, Farah Louis has focused her City Council tenure on affordable housing, small business support, education and equitable healthcare. Since taking office in 2019, she has championed legislation protecting survivors of domestic violence, addressing sexual harassment, closing the gender wage gap and expanding mental health and addiction services. She is also the founder of Girls Leading Up, a mentorship program for young women, and her campaign prioritizes ongoing investment in housing, education, economic development and social services.

— Joshua Elijah Diaz – Republican/Conservative

Raised by a single mother and living with Type 1 Diabetes, Flatbush native Joshua Elijah Diaz has turned early challenges into a foundation for leadership. At 19, Diaz launched his first business — a feat he says fueled his passion for small business advocacy. His campaign, dubbed “Leadership of the New Era,” emphasizes transportation, action and real solutions for everyday New Yorkers. And he’s already making history. At just 23 years old, he is the youngest-ever Republican and Conservative Party candidate for District 45, and the first to win a Republican/Conservative primary in the district.

— Hatem El-Gamasy – Safe & Affordable (independent)

Hatem El-Gamasy is an independent candidate for District 45, a former teacher, bodega owner and community board member. Running on a platform for working-class families – “not elites,” his priorities include affordable housing, support for small businesses and investments in public schools and community safety.

Council District 46 – Bergen Beach, Canarsie, Flatlands, Georgetown, Gerritsen Beach, Marine Park, Mill Basin, Mill Island, Sheepshead Bay

— Mercedes Narcisse (incumbent) – Democrat

A first-generation Haitian-American and lifelong New Yorker, Mercedes Narcisse has built a reputation as a tireless advocate for the working-class citizen. Before entering elected office, she served as a public defender, child advocate and legal aid associate. In office, she has pushed for improved public transportation, created mentorship programs for local entrepreneurs and helped expand affordable housing through the city’s $1 billion Affordable Housing Trust Fund. If reelected, she promises to continue to hold city agencies accountable and deliver results for her constituents. Her priorities include expanding educational opportunities, supporting small businesses and promoting public safety.

— Athena A. Clarke – Republican

Athena Clarke is a first-generation Brooklynite running to unseat the current council member. Born to parents from Jamaica and the West Indies, she grew up in the district she now seeks to represent. Clarke spent seven years as a tenured NYC public school teacher and even published a children’s book, but her career shifted to advocacy after she claims she was wrongfully terminated during the city’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. If elected, she promises to restore due process, hold city agencies accountable and represent parents, civil servants and working families. Her platform emphasizes parental authority in education, public safety, economic freedom and fiscal accountability.

— Dimple Willabus – Conservative

Dimple Willabus is a longtime community leader and a perennial contender for the District 46 City Council seat. A mother, small business owner, and former Community Education Council president, she is campaigning to provide “real, on-the-ground representation” for the district. Born in Guyana, Willabus would become the first Guyanese-American woman to hold the seat if elected. Her platform focuses on local priorities, including opposition to a proposed homeless shelter in Sheepshead Bay and a lithium-ion battery storage site in Marine Park. Grounded in faith, family, and community, she told News 12, “For me, it’s God, then family and then community.”

Council District 47 – Bay Ridge, Coney Island, Sea Gate, Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Dyker Heights

— Kayla Santosuosso – Democrat/Working Families Party

A longtime Bay Ridge resident, Kayla Santosuosso is a lawyer, a former small business owner and City Council staffer looking to represent Southern Brooklyn in the seat currently held by her boss, term-limited Council Member Justin Brannan. Santosuosso says her focus is on improving everyday quality of life by ensuring clean streets, safe neighborhoods, beautiful parks and strong public schools. She also plans to address the city’s affordability crisis so that families can afford to stay in their communities. Drawing on her experience as both a city attorney and a small business owner, Santosuosso aims to make it easier to open and operate local businesses, while delivering responsive, effective government for all residents — regardless of party, background or language. She sums her platform up on her campaign website with: “Southern Brooklyn is home to some of the hardest working people in the City, who deserve a government that makes their lives easier, not harder.”

— George Sarantopoulos – Republican/Conservative

A father, husband and entrepreneur who built his business from the ground up, George Sarantopoulous never shies away from a fight. A cancer survivor, he says that battle deepened his love for his family, his community and New York City. It also strengthened his resolve to lead. After winning a tight Republican primary against Brooklyn GOP Chair Richie Barsamian, Sarantopoulous argues that Brooklyn is in crisis, with rising crime filthy streets and out-of-touch politicians more focused on higher taxes than real solutions. Drawing on his experience building a business and creating jobs nationwide, Sarantopoulous promises to restore safety, accountability and affordability — and to only answer to the people, not party bosses.