After a sluggish day at the polls, Democrats citywide will have selected candidates for public advocate and city comptroller in today's runoff election.

The two primary races on September 15 failed to yield a candidate with at least 40 percent of the vote.

Former Public Advocate Mark Green and Brooklyn Councilman Bill de Blasio, seen left, are battling it out for public advocate.

City Councilmen John Liu and David Yassky, seen right, are vying to become the next city comptroller.

Liu, who voted this morning at a church in Flushing, is on the road to becoming the first Asian-American elected to hold a citywide position.

"I've talked about my professional qualifications for this job, and my vision for the office and that of the city itself," he said.

His competitor, a two-term councilman from Brooklyn, brings with him the endorsements from the New York Times, the Daily News, and Senator Charles Schumer.

Yassky says he prides himself on his job creation efforts and his push to put the city budget online.

Polls are open until 9 p.m.

Earlier this month, the Democratic primary saw historic lows in voting levels.

The Board of Elections estimates that the runoff with cost the city between $13 million to $15 million.

When asked about the runoff elections, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who cannot vote in these primaries because he is an independent, said he did not object to them.

"I don't see anything wrong with runoffs. I think we could solve the problem, however. As you know, I've been a huge supporter for nonpartisan elections. If you think about the number of people who can participate in this runoff, it is very small. When you think about the number of people who actually vote, it is disgracefully small," said Bloomberg. "I think we can have voting on weekends, we can have automatic voting registration, you can make it somewhat better."

Yet voters who did turn out of the runoff races in Park Slope, Brooklyn told NY1 there is no excuse for not voting.

"I always vote. It's important to me to vote," said one voter. "Because if you don't vote, then how can you complain? It's your fault. I think it's a civic duty."

"I think all of these races are important. I think all of the candidates have pluses and minuses, but they're important," said another. "People will be out in November."

"People in other countries would love to be able to vote, and here we all have the opportunity and we don't get a lot of people out," said a third. "In this election, you get the feeling that the guy with the most family and friends can win."

Green, seen right, cast his vote in Manhattan's Flatiron District this morning.

With his on-the-job experience, Green was once considered the favorite in the race. But that changed two weeks ago when de Blasio outgained Green in the primary, forcing the runoff.

Since then, Green's been on the attack, calling de Blasio unethical for taking contributions from people affiliated with community groups that receive City Council funding.

"I'd love to talk about positive issues, but he has to answer questions about his pattern of misconduct when it comes to money before the council," Green said.

Recent polls show Green and de Blasio, who has the backing of the New York Times and the outgoing public advocate, neck and neck, but with less money and less organization than his opponent, Green could rightly be described as having now assumed the underdog role.

The winners today will likely have a clear path to office in the general election on November 3.

The Republican opponents are both little-known and underfunded.