New York City, NYVoter Guide 2026 · not a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

New York City Council Election 2026

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2 candidates

Updated Oct 2, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

City Council District 3 · 1 seat

Only one of the Council's 51 seats is on this ballot: District 3 on Manhattan's West Side. District 3 voters pick one candidate; the other 50 members are not up and are not listed here.

3 notes on these statements

The Board of Elections' contest list shows two candidates for District 3: Carl Wilson (Democratic) and Haris Bhatti (Haris Bhatti line). NYC Board of Elections · Sep 11, 2026

Lindsey Boylan, who advanced as the Working Families Party candidate, is listed as withdrawn. Ballotpedia

Five citywide charter proposals are also on the Nov. 3 ballot. NYC Board of Elections · Sep 11, 2026

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phoneWhat council decidesA Department of Community Safety, Horse-drawn carriages, Building emissions (Local Law 97)Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

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Next date

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Mon, Oct 19, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

A Department of Community Safety

Where it standsInt. 403, which would create a Department of Community Safety, has 32 Council sponsors and is in the Committee on Governmental Operations.

What's on the tableThe Council decides whether to pass the bill and how to fund a new non-police safety agency in the budget.

  • Int. 403 would create a Department of Community Safety to promote community safety and provide emergency responses that support public health, safety and welfare. NYC Council Legistar
  • The bill was introduced on Jan. 29, 2026, and is in the Committee on Governmental Operations, State & Federal Legislation. NYC Council Legistar
  • Int. 403 lists 32 Council Member sponsors. NYC Council Legistar

Horse-drawn carriages

Where it standsInt. 943, which would wind down the horse-drawn carriage industry, was laid over in the Health Committee and lists 29 Council sponsors.

What's on the tableThe Council decides whether to pass the bill phasing out horse-drawn carriages.

Building emissions (Local Law 97)

Where it standsLocal Law 97 emissions limits for most large buildings began in 2024; stricter limits start in 2030, and a bill to delay them by 7 years is in committee.

What's on the tableThe Council decides whether to keep, delay or change the Local Law 97 limits.

  • Under Local Law 97, most buildings over 25,000 square feet must meet greenhouse gas emissions limits that began in 2024, with stricter limits in 2030. NYC Department of Buildings
  • The law's goal is to cut emissions from the city's largest buildings 40 percent by 2030 and to net zero by 2050. NYC Department of Buildings
  • Int. 371 would delay all Local Law 97 emissions requirements and penalties by 7 years; it has 7 sponsors and is in committee. NYC Council Legistar

City budget and libraries

Where it standsThe Council adopted a $125.8 billion budget for FY2027 on June 30, 2026, including restored funding for libraries.

What's on the tableThe Council negotiates the FY2028 budget with the mayor next spring and votes to adopt it, including library funding.

Outdoor dining

Where it standsA law enacted Aug. 31, 2026 removes the seasonal limit on roadway cafes; Charter Proposal 1 on this ballot would drop Council disapproval of sidewalk cafes.

What's on the tableThe Council oversees the outdoor dining program and can change its rules.

Who matches you?

Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.

  1. 1. Int. 403 would create a Department of Community Safety to handle some emergency calls without police. What should the Council do?

  2. 2. Int. 943 would phase out horse-drawn carriages by ending new licenses. What should the Council do?

  3. 3. Local Law 97's stricter building emissions limits start in 2030. What should the Council do?

  4. 4. How should the next city budget treat public library funding?

  5. 5. Restaurants can now run roadway (curbside) cafes year-round. Going forward, should the city expand or limit roadway dining?

Key dates

The seat math

0 stay (not up this year): 1 on this ballot

51 council seats plus a mayor who doesn't vote on council items. The council decides by a 26-vote majority.

  • The City Council has 51 members, who serve four-year terms (up to two consecutive terms). NYC Votes
  • The Council introduces and votes on legislation, negotiates the city budget with the mayor and approves it, and reviews land use. New York City Council
  • The mayor can veto a bill, and the Council can override a veto with a two-thirds vote. New York City Council
  • District 3 covers Hell's Kitchen, Hudson Yards, Midtown, Times Square, the Garment District, Chelsea, Flatiron, the Meatpacking District, the West Village and Hudson Square. New York City Council
  • Erik Bottcher left the District 3 seat to run for state Senate, and Carl Wilson won the special election to replace him. City & State · May 15, 2026

Every claim here links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works →

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