BY SCOTT STIFFLER | With three names recently removed after successful petition challenges, four candidates remain on the ballot for the NYC Council District 3 (CD3) Special Election scheduled for April 28 (Early Voting, April 18-26). They’re competing for the Council seat left vacant last month by the departure of Erik Bottcher, now serving as a NYS Senator. Whether the winner is Leslie Boghosian Murphy, Lindsey Boylan, Layla Law-Gisiko, or Carl Wilson, all involved will have little more than a moment’s rest, should they decide to declare their candidacy in another looming CD3 race: NYC’s 2026 Primary Election, set for June 23 (Early Voting, June 13-21). With that in mind, this roundup of online resources is your open-door window into the world of candidate passions, promises, and policy positions. 

NOTE: Although CD3 is without a City Council rep until next month’s Special Election results, City Council staff are responding to concerns of residents, business owners, and other CD3 stakeholders. (CD3 covers the Hudson Square, West Village, Chelsea, Hudson Yards, Meatpacking District, Garment District, Times Square, and Hell’s Kitchen areas.) Click Here to access Chelsea Community News’ article of February 20, 2026, which contains phone and email information, with which you may contact the District Office.

On Saturday, March 21, LEAPS (Limited Equity & Affordability at Penn South) will present a Candidate Roundtable as part of the goings-on at their first quarterly meeting of 2026. In addition to direct questions from LEAPS members in attendance, the organizers tell us they’ll ask each candidate to answer five questions on “hot topics of concern to Penn South cooperators and Chelsea residents.” Due to limited seating capacity, the general public cannot attend–but within a few days after the meeting takes place, you’ll be able to view a recording of the Roundtable by visiting the LEAPS website. (Click Here to do so.)

On Wednesday, March 25, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm via Zoom, the London Terrace Tenants Association (LTTA) presents a Council District 3 Candidates Forum. Questions submitted by the public–as many of them as possible–will be asked by moderator Liza Whiting (LTTA Secretary). Attendance is free, and no pre-registration is required. To join the Forum via Zoom, Click Here. Meeting ID: 857 0722 8680. Passcode: 633403. To Like and Follow the LTTA on Facebook, Click Here. A recording of the Forum will be posted online within a few days after it takes place; subscribers to the free LTTA newsletter will be emailed the link. To subscribe, send a request via emailto lttanews@gmail.com or call 212-633-0385.

On January 26, a NYC Council District 3 Forum was presented by the Chelsea Reform Democratic Club (CRCD). The Forum is available to view by Clicking Here. To read the questionnaire filled out by each participant prior to the Forum, click on the following names: Leslie Boghosian Murphy, Lindsey Boylan, Layla Law-Gisiko, Carl Wilson.

On March 10, Village Preservation presented their 2026 City Council District 3 Candidates Forum–an opportunity, said organizers, “to hear from candidates about preservation, development, and planning issues in our neighborhood, and how they will deal with them as City Councilmember.” The Forum is available to view by Clicking Here. An extensive questionnaire on preservation issues, completed by each candidate prior to the Forum, can be accessed HERE.  

EARLY VOTING & ELECTION DAY SCHEDULES

But first, Learn about Ranked Choice Voting

Special Election Early Voting: April; 18-26, 2026

Saturday, April 18,  9am to 5pm

Sunday, April 19, 9am to 5pm

Monday, April 20, 9am to 5pm

Tuesday, April 21, 12pm to 8pm

Wednesday, April 22, 12pm to 8pm

Thursday, April 23, 9am to 5pm

Friday, April 24, 8am to 4pm

Saturday, April 25, 9am to 5pm

Sunday, April 26,  9am to 5pm

Election Day is Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Polls are open from 6am to 9pm

Primary Election – June 23, 2026

Election Day is Tuesday, June 23, 2026. Polls are open from 6am to 9pm.

Early Voting Period is June 13, 2026 – June 21, 2026.

General Election – November 3, 2026

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Polls are open from 6am to 9pm.

Early Voting Period is October 24, 2026 – November 1, 2026.

NOTE: On February 11, Chelsea Community News published Q&As with candidates for Council District 3. They can be accessed directly below or by Clicking Here. (Note: Jamin Enquist’s Q&A was added shortly after the roundup’s publication; Enquist’s Special Election candidacy ended when his petitioning for signatures was successfully challenged.)

—Council District 3 Candidate Leslie Boghosian Murphy

—Council District 3 Candidate Lindsey Boylan

—Council District 3 Candidate Layla Law-Gisiko

—Council District 3 Candidate Carl Wilson

–Council District 3 Candidate Jamin Enquist

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