By Nelson A. King
NEW YORK, Nov 3, CMC – Caribbean nationals are on Tuesday casting ballots in the midterm general elections in the United States with voters are casting ballots for governor and lieutenant governor, state comptroller, attorney general, state senator, state assembly member, congressmember and judges.
In Brooklyn, Civil Court Judges (municipal and statewide) and four Supreme Court Justices are also up for election.
According to NYC Votes, there are also five proposals on the ballot this year. It said ballot proposals are suggested changes to the state and city’s governing documents, the State Constitution and the City Charter.
“Voters get to decide on the changes they want to see passed,” said NYC Votes.
Haitian-American New York State Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, the former chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party, is urging Caribbean and other voters to cast ballots for “experienced, effective and exemplary Democratic leadership.
“Every single vote makes a difference, make sure your voice is heard and your vote is counted for a better Brooklyn,” Bichotte Hermelyn, the daughter of Haitian immigrants and Democratic representative for the 42nd Assembly District in Brooklyn, told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC).
“The general election decides who will hold office; and, by voting. you can express who you want to represent you and your community,” added Bichotte Hermelyn, who is challenged by Republican Herman G. Hall, the Grenadian-born publisher of the Brooklyn-based Everybody’s Caribbean magazine.
Bichotte Hermelyn is also currently the New York State Assembly Majority Whip and chair of the Subcommittee on Oversight of Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs).
Caribbean-American Democratic Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, who represents the predominantly Caribbean 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn, is challenged by Joel Azumah, who is running on the Republican and Conservative Parties’ lines.
“It has been a privilege of a lifetime to represent the 9th District in Congress, and every day is an opportunity to build a brighter future together,” Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants and chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, told CMC.
“From sponsoring legislation to provide resources to small business owners to securing over US$17 million in funding for local projects, I’m committed to fighting for Brooklyn.
“As the only Black woman representing New York in Congress, I know that my seat at the table is an invaluable one. And I carry with me the legacy of my mother, Dr. Una Clarke, who immigrated to the United States from Jamaica in 1958 in search of a better life,” added the congresswoman, whose mother was the first Caribbean-born woman to be elected to New York City Council.
“Throughout her decade of service as a member of the New York City Council, she taught me what public service for the people looks like. This campaign is about the community, and this movement is a people-powered one,” said Clarke, who was first elected to the US Congress in 2006.
“As our city struggles with the economic aftershock of the COVID-19 pandemic, I will continue to advocate on the side of housing affordability, the working class, accessible and quality healthcare, and more. “
Given the current political climate in the US, she said it is “important that the 9th Congressional district is represented by someone who understands how policymaking works on both the local and federal level.
In the 19th New York State Senate District in Brooklyn, Guyanese-born, Democratic New York State Senator J. Persaud is running unopposed.
But, in the 43rd Assembly District, also in Brooklyn, Caribbean-American Brian-Christopher A. Cunningham is challenged by Republican Anna Shpilkovskaya.
Cunningham, the son of Jamaican immigrants, is running on the Democratic and Working Families Parties’ lines.
Popular New York Attorney General Letitia James, who considers herself “a friend of the Caribbean,” is also running on the Democratic and Working Families Parties’ lines.
James is challenged by Saritha Komatireddy, a former Assistant US Attorney, who is running on the Republican and Conservative Parties’ lines.
“I have spent my career fighting for everyday New Yorkers — taking on powerful corporations, corrupt landlords and a federal government that puts politics ahead of people,” James said.
On Tuesday James reminded Caribbean nationals and New Yorkers in general that the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) Election Protection Hotline is available to assist voters experiencing problems at the polls, voting by mail, or accessing their right to vote in the midterm general elections.
She said the hotline is available from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. “to troubleshoot and resolve a range of issues encountered by voters.”
The New York Attorney General also said a guide addressing frequently asked questions is also available to assist voters with any problems encountered at the polls.
“Today is your opportunity to make your voice heard, and every eligible New Yorker deserves to cast their ballot without fear or intimidation,” James said.
CMC/nk/ir/2026