Major Races

In the race for president, voters will choose between Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama, as well as numerous other minor-party candidates.

Among the most competitive state Senate races, voters in Queens' 15th Senate district will choose between Republican incumbent Serphin Maltese and Democratic City Councilman Joseph Addabbo, while voters in that borough's 11th Senate district will select between Republican incumbent Frank Padavan and Democratic City Councilman James Gennaro.

In the most competitive congressional race, voters on Staten Island and Brooklyn will elect a new U.S. Congressman to fill the seat vacated by Republican Vito Fossella, choosing between Democratic City Councilmember Michael McMahon and Republican former Assemblyman Robert Straniere.

Queens voters will also cast votes in the city's only City Council race, between Democrat Elizabeth Crowley and Republican incumbent Anthony Como, who won the seat in a June special election after it was vacated by Dennis Gallagher.

In addition there are half a dozen contested races for State Supreme Court and Civil Court justices.

Finally, voters will decide a New York State ballot issue that will determine if disabled veterans who do not receive disability payments from the federal government qualify for extra points on their state civil service exams just like other disabled veterans do.

• For a complete list of all candidates in all races throughout the city, visit the

Voting Procedures

Polls are open from 6 a.m. through 9 p.m. citywide. Registered voters need only sign their name to cast their vote, but those who have recently registered may be asked to provide personal identification that includes their current address.

• To find your poll site call or visit the

• To confirm that you are registered to vote, visit the

• For additional voting procedure information visit the

Voter Assistance

All voters have a right to be assisted in the voting machine by the person of their choice; to ask election workers how to use the voting machine; to bring materials into the voting booth with you; to vote by emergency paper ballot if the voting machine is broken; and to vote by "affidavit ballot" if your name is missing from the list of voters at the poll site.

• For instructions on how to use New York City's voting machines, see the

• For general voter assistance, call or visit the

Problems At The Polls

• NY1 wants to know if you experience a problem voting Tuesday at your poll site. If so, please call or e-mail

• If you witness unusually long lines or other issues, send pictures to

• To report a problem at your poll site, call the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG) at

• For legal help with suspected voter disenfranchisement, call or visit