WPIX New York City, NY
Emily Rahhal
Fri, January 23, 2026 at 8:00 AM EST
2 min read
NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) — With a new guard at City Hall, New Yorkers will need to elect new leaders in Albany.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani has officially moved into Gracie Mansion, and he’s left behind an empty state assembly seat for his Queens district. And he’s not alone, a handful of state legislators have emptied out their upstate offices for work in New York City.
Now, neighborhoods in Manhattan and Queens are headed back to the polls for a special election to elect new state leaders.
Here’s everything you need to know about upcoming special election in New York City:
When is the special election?
Election Day is on Tuesday, Feb. 3.
What offices are up for election?
State Assembly District 36
Where it is: Astoria, Queens
Why it’s vacant: Zohran Mamdani was elected mayor
State Assembly District 74
Where is it: East Village, Manhattan
Why it’s vacant: Brad Hoylman-Sigal was elected Manhattan Borough President
State Senate District 47
Where is it: Upper West Side to the West Village, Manhattan
Why it’s vacant: Harvey Epstein was elected a City Council Member
When does early voting start?
Early voting will start on Jan. 24, but is suspended on Jan. 25 due to the incoming snowstorm, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul. She said the state will determine if they need to suspend early voting on Monday, also.
Early voting lasts through Feb. 1. The polls will be open at varying times throughout early voting.
On Election Day, Feb. 3, the polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Where do I vote?
To find your polling location, click here.
Can I vote by mail?
Yes. The deadline to request a mail-in ballot online is Jan. 24, and the deadline to request one in-person is Feb. 2. To learn more about voting by mail, click here.
Can I still register to vote?
Yes. The registration deadline to vote in the special election is Jan. 24. To register to vote, click here.
Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter who has covered New York City since 2023 after reporting in Los Angeles for years. She joined PIX11 in 2024.
