New York primary: Four things you need to know about the election

Democrats hope that candidates in several crowded races may be able to take on Republicans this November and flip the US House of Representatives

Voters in New York State will take to the polls on Tuesday to cast their ballots in this years’ competitive and important federal primary battles, and the fate of the so-called “blue wave” Democrats are counting on to regain political power in Congress could be heavily influenced by what choices voters may make.

The primaries include high profile races that include a surprisingly resilient campaign by a Republican in Staten Island who recently served eight months in prison. They include several, lesser known races that could help determine whether Democrats — and what kind of Democrats — are able to regain control of the US House of Representatives in the November general election that will widely be viewed as a referendum on the first two years of President Donald Trump's administration.

Here’s what you need to know.

When and where can New Yorkers vote?

Polling places in New York City and nearby Suffolk, Dutchess, Nassau, and Westchester Counties will open at 6am and close at 9pm, according to the New York State Board of Elections website. Polling places in the rest of the state will open at noon, and those sites will close at 9pm.

Voters who are unsure where to cast their ballot can search the state’s voting information page, here.

How important is this primary?

Democrats have their eyes on a few Republican-held seats in the state that they think they may be able to flip in their favour, adding to the potential for a “blue wave” that brings them power in the House of Representatives.

For some of the Democratic primaries, the primaries give voters the chance between choosing more progressive candidates, or those who are perhaps a bit more traditional in their approach to their party affiliation, and are backed by the party’s elite.

In several races, crowded Democratic primaries will be closely watched to find out who ultimately gets to take on Republicans in those districts — some of whom are seen as prime chances to pick up seats against GOP incumbents.

On the Republican side, at least one high profile and competitive race where a former Representative of Staten Island who was sent to prison has attracted national attention to that primary.

Who are these candidates?

A crowded field of five Democrats are running in New York’s 1st congressional district, with the hopes of challenging incumbent Republican Lee Zeldin, who voted in favour of Obamacare repeal but against a tax bill that rolled back deduction for state and local taxes that hurt high-tax places like New York. Two of those Democrats stand out: Kate Browning, and Perry Gershon, both of whom have raised or spent considerable sums of money there. The district is considered to be leaning in favour of Mr Zeldin, but former President Barack Obama did win the district previously.

In New York’s 2nd congressional district, Democrats see another chance to flip a district away from incumbent Republican Peter King, who was first elected to the post in the early 1990s and is known for frequently siding with President Donald Trump and his policies. The Democrats running are an official from Suffolk County, DuWayne Gregory — who lost handily to Mr King in a 2016 challenge — and a consultant, Liuba Shirley.

A strange race has evolved in New York’s 11th congressional district, where Republican incumbent Dan Donovan is facing an unexpectedly tough challenge from Michael Grimm, who previously held the Staten Island based seat before being sent to prison for eight months for tax evasion, when Mr Donovan replaced him in the post. Democrats are looking at that race as a potential district to flip, especially if Mr Grimm wins the nomination and brings that legal baggage to the general election.

New York’s 14th congressional district is seeing a progressive challenge to longtime Democrat Rep Joe Crowley, who has served in the district for 10 terms and faces a serious challenge from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Ms Ocasio-Cortez has made headlines attacking Mr Crowley, and supports Medicare-for-all and a jobs guarantee.

In New York’s 9th congressional district, Democrats have at least a half dozen candidates with strong resumes, and are taking on Republican incumbent John Faso, who has served in the seat since 2016. The district is considered to be a toss-up, and it is likely that the general election race will be competitive no matter which Democrat comes out on top.

New York’s 21st congressional district features another crowded Democratic field of politicians hoping to unseat incumbent Republican Elise Stefanik, who is the youngest woman ever elected to the House. Ms Stefanik voted in favour of repealing Obamacare, but has created distance between herself and Mr Trump on things like the way he speaks about women, and his trade approach.

Yet another historically Republican stronghold, New York’s 23rd congressional district, is being eyed for a potential pick-up by Democrats this year. There are five candidates on the Democratic side — yet another crowded field — and they hope to take on incumbent Republican Tom Reed, who has held the seat since 2010. Mr Reed has voted, generally speaking, with Mr Trump’s policy priorities. He has also authored bipartisan legislation, and promoted an image of himself as a man willing to reach across the aisle.

Wait, did you say a man who recently got out of prison is running for Congress in New York City?

That’s right. Mr Grimm, a former member of Congress, was convicted on charges of tax evasion and forced to give up his seat to the man he is now challenging in the Republican primary in 2016. Mr Grimm — who is a controversial politician beyond the felony conviction, and has threatened to break people in half — has campaigned calling Mr Donovan a soft Republican, noting he voted against the tax bill and against repealing Obamacare.

Mr Grimm has been leading Mr Donovan in the polls, but Mr Donovan has received the support of the president.

What other states are holding primary elections?

In addition to New York, there are four other states holding federal primaries Tuesday. Those include Utah, Maryland, Oklahoma, and Colorado.