New York Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026

Leslie Boghosian Murphy is a Democratic candidate for New York City Council District 3, covering Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen, and other areas. A long-time Hell's Kitchen resident, she previously worked as an investigative journalist and is an Emmy winner. She has held significant community roles, including Chair of Community Board 4, and is an advocate for environmental, civil, and LGBTQ+ rights.

Priorities: Affordability and housing · Childcare and education · Environment and transit

Carl Wilson, a longtime Hell’s Kitchen resident originally from Maryland, moved to NYC in 2009 to attend NYU. After the 2016 election, he transitioned from acting to community organizing, co-founding Hell’s Kitchen Democrats. Wilson has served as a Community Liaison in the NYC Council Speaker’s Office and as Chief of Staff to Council Member Erik Bottcher, where he aided tenants, seniors, schools, and LGBTQ+ advocacy.

Priorities: Deliver results on housing affordability, environmental protections, gun violence prevention, and tenant support. · Advance LGBTQ+ rights, including protections for Trans New Yorkers and gender-affirming care. · Strengthen community services, public schools, and support for seniors.

Lindsey Boylan is an urban planner and West Side mom running for New York City Council District 3. She previously managed NYC public parks and led state budget negotiations, contributing to initiatives like the $15 minimum wage and paid family leave. Boylan positions herself as a progressive advocate focused on fighting political machines and emphasizing community organizing.

Priorities: Advance Mayor Mamdani's affordability agenda: real affordable/social housing, community care, accessible public spaces, people over profit. · "Trump-proof" NYC: abolish ICE, expand anti-discrimination protections, fund abortion/gender-affirming care, migrant/unhoused services, defend schools from censorship, resist hate. · Immigrant protections: driver's licenses/transit access, end NYPD-ICE data-sharing/broken windows policing, cut ICE contracts/subsidies (e.g., Pier 40, Crye Precision).

Layla Law-Gisiko is a community activist and Democratic district leader campaigning for New York City Council District 3. Originally from Paris, France, she immigrated to the U.S. 29 years ago and has since served 17 years on Manhattan Community Board 5, where she focused on urban planning, zoning, and land use issues.

Priorities: Affordable and public housing · Homelessness · Penn Station

Josh E. Hanshaft is a Civil Court Judge in New York County, elected in 2017, who has presided over family and criminal cases. Prior to his judgeship, he was a practicing attorney for 25 years, including serving as an Assistant District Attorney in Kings County and as Counsel to New York City Council committees. He is also the co-creator of My BarTunes®, an app designed to assist law school students with bar exam prep

Emily Morales-Minerva is a Hispanic/Latino American jurist who was elected to the New York City Civil Court, New York County, in 2017, with her term set to conclude in 2026. She currently presides in the Supreme Court - Civil, New York County, having served as a judge for nine years.

Judy H. Kim is an Acting Justice of the New York State Supreme Court in New York County. She was first elected to the bench in 2016, becoming the first Korean American elected judge in New York State, and has served as a judge for approximately 10 years. Prior to her current role, she served as an elected Civil Court judge.

Rita M. Mella, born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, immigrated to New York City in the 1980s and earned her J.D. from CUNY School of Law in 1991. She served 13 years as a court attorney/law clerk before being elected Civil Court Judge in 2006. In 2012, Mella became the first Latina elected to the New York County Surrogate's Court, where she currently presides.

Priorities: Increase transparency, efficiency, and accountability in Surrogate's Court · Improve access to justice for underserved communities and the broader public · Leverage managerial experience for courthouse oversight and public complaints