Voters in Queens and the Bronx will head to the polls to cast their ballots in special elections to fill congressional and state Assembly seats, respectively. Both elections are scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 13, but early voting begins Saturday, Feb. 3.

Here's what you need to know before you vote.

Race for Congress

Democrat Tom Suozzi and Republican Mazi Pilip are running for the 3rd Congressional District seat to replace George Santos, who became the sixth House member to be ousted from Congress in U.S. history. 

The district covers Little Neck, Whitestone, Glen Oaks, Floral Park and Queens Village in Queens, as well as large stretches of Long Island’s Nassau County.

Suozzi, who previously represented the district from 2017 to 2023, initially gave up his seat to pursue an unsuccessful run for governor and has now decided to vie for it again. State Democrats nominated him to run in the special election in early December.

Days later, Republicans introduced Pilip, a Nassau County legislator since 2021 who grew up in Ethiopia, emigrated to Israel and served in the Israel Defense Forces.

The pair has yet to debate, but have been continuously calling each other out on the campaign trail.

Race for state Assembly

The 77th Assembly District seat in the Bronx became vacant when Democrat Latoya Joyner abruptly resigned at the beginning of January, saying she was pursuing a different professional opportunity.

Joyner began representing the district — which covers Claremont, Concourse, Highbridge, Mount Eden and Morris Heights — in 2015, and had kept her position for nearly a decade. Now, two candidates are going head-to-head for her former seat. 

Landon Dais is the Democratic candidate in the race and Norman McGill is the Republican candidate, according to the city’s Board of Elections. 

Dais, an attorney who is originally from Harlem, previously made an unsuccessful bid to unseat then-City Councilmember Inez Dickens. He lives in the Bronx district with his wife and children and has been endorsed by the Bronx County Democratic Party. 

McGill, who grew up in the district, serves as the president of NYCHA’s Highbridge Houses and works as an elevator mechanic. He has been backed by the Bronx Republican Party. 

Both candidates spoke with NY1 about their platforms. 

Heading to polling sites

Early voting runs from Feb. 3 to 11. Anyone eligible to vote can vote early, though the polling place may differ from the one assigned on the Feb. 13 special election.

The New York Early Mail Voter Act, which requires registered voters to obtain early mail voting ballots through application to the board of elections, is currently in effect. 

All registered voters are eligible to apply for an early mail ballot.

There are several ways to apply for the early voting ballot: Use the online Ballot Request Application portal,  go in-person to the local county board of elections or allow another person to deliver the application in-person to the local county board of elections. For voters with a print disability, apply by using the online Accessible Ballot Application.

Voters are not able to cast a ballot with a voting machine if they were issued an early mail or absentee ballot. 

Anyone who requested an early mail or absentee ballot but wants to vote in-person will have to fill out an affidavit ballot. Absentee ballots can also be dropped off at early voting sites while polls are open.

Voting locations can be searched on the New York City Board of Elections website at https://findmypollsite.vote.nyc/.

Early voting times for both elections

  • Saturday, Feb. 3 — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • Sunday, Feb. 4 — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • Monday, Feb. 5 — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • Tuesday, Feb. 6 — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

  • Wednesday, Feb. 7 — 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

  • Thursday, Feb. 8 — 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

  • Friday, Feb. 9 — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

  • Saturday, Feb. 10 — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • Sunday, Feb. 11 — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Dates you need to know

  • Last day for the BOE to receive an application or letter of application by mail, online portal, email or fax for a ballot: Feb. 3

  • Last day to apply at the BOE for an in-person ballot: Feb. 12

  • Last day to postmark ballot return envelope: Feb. 13

  • Last day to deliver ballot in-person at the BOE: Feb. 13

  • Last day for the BOE to receive ballot by mail: Feb. 20

  • Last day for the BOE to receive military ballot by mail: Feb. 26