Extra Special Election for City Council Seat

There are special elections and extra special elections. Residents of Brooklyn's 40th Council District, includes Flatbush and Crown Heights, already voted in a special election and now they will be voting in an extra special election.

The special election was held to fill the council seat of Yvette Clark, who was elected to Congress. Matheiu Eugene beat nine others to win the special election. Following his victory questions were raised about where Eugene lived on election day. When running, he lived outside of the district in Canarsie, which Gothamist notes is the boyhood home of World B. Free, but his campaign officials claim he has a lease within the district dated February 1st.

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn said last week that Eugene, and Vincent Ignizio who was elected to fill a vacant seat on Staten Island, would need to sign an affidavit saying they lived in their districts on election day and provide evidence of residency. Ignizio did and was sworn in on Thursday. Eugene refused to sign the affadavit, hence the need for an extra special election in which Eugene says he will be a candidate.

Before the extra special election, there are two regular old special elections for State Assembly to be held on Staten Island on March 27th. One is to replace newly elected Councilman Ignizio, while the other is to replace John W. Lavelle, who died of a stroke in January.