Your guide to the March 23 city council special election

This part of the Bronx has been without representation on the city council since Andrew Cohen resigned at the end of last year so he could become a Bronx Supreme Court judge.

Those weeks without a city council member are about to come to a close as six candidates vie to succeed him in a special election set for March 23.

Who is running? When can you vote? Where can you vote? 

Early voting is happening right now, and continues through Sunday, March 21. Four polling locations have been set up for this specific city council race — but voters can only visit the location they are assigned. Specific location information can be found at FindMyPollsite.vote.nyc. 

Polling site locations are at:
• The Riverdale Y, 5625 Arlington Ave.
• IN-Tech Academy, 2965 Tibbett Ave.
• Bronx Science, 75 W. 205th St.
• St. Anthony's Church, 4505 Richardson Ave.

Hours continue through Sunday. Wednesday is noon to 8 p.m., Thursday is 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday is 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., and weekends are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

On March 23, polls will open between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m., at sites including:
• P.S. 81 Robert J. Christen, 5550 Riverdale Ave.
• P.S. 95, 3961 Hillman Ave.
• P.S. 207, 3030 Godwin Terrace
• P.S. 16 Wakefield, 4550 Carpenter Ave.
• P.S. 94 Kings College School, 3530 Kings College Place

For election updates, text "NYCVOTES" to (917) 979-6377, or click here.

General stories of interest from this race include:
• Haller accuses Dinowitz, Ben Franklin Club, of violating campaign finance laws
• Council candidates spend $220,000 in a month, but mostly skip the Bronx
• Can’t pick just one candidate? Now you don’t have to
• Biaggi backs Lora, Haller in council race; blasts Dinowitz
• Sex work: Is it up next for the state agenda?
• Special election then primary creates a ‘double-marathon’
• Taxpayers fund campaigns, but little remains in Bronx
• They’re too young to vote, but they’re old enough to care
• Council candidates spar, but agree on unity
• City council candidates get some respite from COVID
• Haller now out-raising Dinowitz in council race, Lora starts strong
• de Blasio sets council special election for March 23
• Council candidates tell Ben Franklin Club to forget it
• City council candidates say election laws put them in COVID danger
• Candidates band together versus Ben Franklin Club
• Delay ranked-choice voting? Not so fast, candidates say
• Council candidates not interested in DSA
• Thanks a million, Andy
• Report: Bronx Dems to nominate Andrew Cohen for bench
• Candidates clash over express bus
• Matching funds integral to Dinowitz, Padernacht showdown
• Politics, money, democracy creating a heady mix
• No special election — well not now, at least

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In the race, in order they appear on the ballot, are:

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Eric Dinowitz

A former special education teacher and union representative with the United Federation of Teachers, living in Riverdale. He's the chair of Community Board 8's aging committee. He's also the son of Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, and is the male Democratic district leader for the area covered by his father's Assembly district.

Read his Point of View published in the March 18 Riverdale Press by clicking here.

Dinowitz has raised $76,390 through March 8, and earned another $142,500 in taxpayer-fueled matching funds. He has spent $176,059, of which $9,660 — or 5.5 percent — was spent inside the Bronx.

Independent expenditure groups supporting Dinowitz include:
• Voters of NYC Inc. — $49,050
• Laborers Building a Better New York — $8,156
• Empire State 32BJ SEIU PAC — $3,716

Voters of NYC has received $185,000 in donations so far this year, according to the city's campaign finance website, including $100,000 from WLZ Properties. It is run by William Zeckendorf, president of Zeckendorf Development Inc., known primarily for its 54-story luxury residential tower at 520 Park Ave., in the Upper East Side.

Laborers Building a Better New York has received $110,000 in donations this year, including $100,000 from the Mason Tenders District Council of Greater New York.

Other stories of note:
• Key Food settles union dispute, pays $90,000
• Dinowitz is Ben Franklin Club's choice
• Chase Bank says it’s closing, community fights back
• One political club that's feeling a lot like Trump
• Younger Dinowitz gets early UFT nod
• Major teachers union endorses for 2021 race? Not so fast
• Dinowitz fights for more voting precincts

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Jessica Haller

An environmental activist and entrepreneur, living in Fieldston. 

Read her Point of View published in the March 18 Riverdale Press by clicking here.

Haller has raised $83,027 through March 8, and earned another $142,450 in taxpayer-fueled matching funds. She has spent $180,913, of which $12,423 — or 6.9 percent — was spent inside the Bronx.

Other stories of note:
• Has city council special election race gone to the dogs?
• Haller, Lora join forces to box out council opponents
• Haller, Yang test positive for coronavirus
• Coronavirus not enough to stop this campaign
• Environmental advocate Jessica Haller jumps into city council race

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Mino Lora

A theatre non-profit executive director, living in Spuyten Duyvil. 

Read her Point of View published in the March 18 Riverdale Press by clicking here.

Lora has raised $31,819 through March 8, and earned another $142,500 in taxpayer-fueled matching funds. She has spent $62,556, of which $32,057 — or 51.2 percent — was spent inside the Bronx.

Other stories of note:
• Lora says she's evolved from 'abolish the police'
• Emotional? Just human
• Biaggi backs Lora, Haller in council race; blasts Dinowitz
• Haller, Lora join forces to box out council opponents
• Coffee drinkers hope for last-minute reprieve to save Buunni
• Council candidate Mino Lora tests positive for COVID-19
• Mino Lora ready to take on broken systems — old and new

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Carlton Berkley

A retired New York Police Department detective, living in Wakefield. 

Berkley has raised $11,326 through March 8, but has received no taxpayer-fueled matching funds. He has spent $5,479, of which $3,100 — or 56.6 percent — was spent inside the Bronx.

Other stories of note:
• Padernacht, Berkley partner up in ranked-choice ballot alliance
• Carlton Berkley wants to give a voice to the voiceless
• Carlton Berkley jumps into council race to replace Andrew Cohen

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Kevin Pazmino

An independent filmmaker, living in North Riverdale. 

Pazmino has raised no money, and says he will not be fundraising for the race. 

Other stories of note:
• Pazmino lone conservative in crowded council race
• Newest council candidate under fire over Twitter
• Sixth candidate enters election  

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Daniel Padernacht

A real estate attorney, living in Kingsbridge Heights. He's the chair of Community Board 8's traffic and transportation committee, and served three years as chair of Community Board 8.

Read his Point of View published in the March 18 Riverdale Press by clicking here.

Padernacht has raised $43,371 through March 8, and earned another $131,541 in taxpayer-fueled matching funds. He has spent $85,140, of which $27,389 — or 32.2 percent — was spent inside the Bronx.

Independent expenditure groups supporting Padernacht include:
• Voters of NYC Inc. — $6,429

Voters of NYC has received $185,000 in donations so far this year, according to the city's campaign finance website, including $100,000 from WLZ Properties. It is run by William Zeckendorf, president of Zeckendorf Development Inc., known primarily for its 54-story luxury residential tower at 520 Park Ave., in the Upper East Side.

Other stories of note:
• Padernacht, Berkley partner up in ranked-choice ballot alliance
• CB8 still far away from solving Independence Ave
• Making a difference? Or just making a mess?
• Dionel Then drops from council race, backs Padernacht
• Padernacht makes early entry into city council race

Last updated March 20.