General Election
NY Senate · Senate District 20
Zellnor Y. Myrie is the only candidate on the ballot for this seat. You can also write in a candidate whose name isn't printed on the ballot.
A senator since 2019 is the only candidate on the ballot
Zellnor Y. Myrie, a Democrat, has held the seat since 2019 and won it in 2024 with 99.3% of the vote. The June 23, 2026 Democratic and Working Families primaries were canceled, and he is on both lines in November.
Issues
6 issues · 1 candidate · every claim sourced
Guns, crime and criminal justice
Central to the raceUnder laws signed in 2024, payment card networks must use a specific sales category code for firearm dealers, and a mass shooting is defined, for emergency funding, as at least four people murdered with a firearm; a 2023 bill letting people ask a court to vacate convictions for conduct later decriminalized passed both houses and was vetoed. The Legislature decides how far to go on gun rules, criminal penalties and clearing past convictions.
Zellnor Y. Myrie
In coverageSponsored laws requiring payment card networks to use merchant category codes for firearm and ammunition dealers, defining a mass shooting for emergency funding, expanding crime victims' access to compensation without a mandatory police report, and raising criminal fines on corporations. His Senate biography says he wrote the state's gun industry liability law in 2021.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Sponsored S8479 on merchant category codes for firearm dealers; voted yes on S8479A on June 4, 2024, and it was signed into law as Chapter 430 of the Laws of 2024 on Oct. 9, 2024. Sponsored S8044, defining a mass shooting as at least four people murdered with a firearm, rifle or shotgun; voted yes on Jan. 17, 2024, and it was signed into law as Chapter 69 on Feb. 7, 2024. Sponsored S214, removing the mandatory law enforcement reporting requirement for victim compensation; voted yes on S214A on May 9, 2023, and it was signed into law as Chapter 695 on Dec. 8, 2023. Sponsored S2551, raising fines on corporations for penal law offenses; voted yes on March 25, 2025, and it was signed into law as Chapter 467 on Oct. 16, 2025. Sponsored S7548, allowing motions to vacate convictions for conduct later decriminalized; voted yes on June 8, 2023; it passed the Assembly on June 20, 2023 and was vetoed by the governor on Dec. 22, 2023. Co-sponsored S940, limiting when entities may require a copy of a person's criminal history record; voted yes on May 29, 2024 (passed 39-22), and it was signed into law as Chapter 501 on Nov. 22, 2024. Sponsored S8609, the Victims Protection and Child Sex Buyer Accountability Act; voted yes on S8609A on June 4, 2026, and it passed the Assembly on June 5, 2026.
Sponsor of S8479, S8044, S214, S2551, S7548 and S8609 and co-sponsor of S940, voting yes on each in the Senate · 2023-05-09 to 2026-06-04 · S8479 signed into law as Chapter 430 of the Laws of 2024 on Oct. 9, 2024; S8044 signed into law as Chapter 69 on Feb. 7, 2024; S214 signed into law as Chapter 695 on Dec. 8, 2023; S2551 signed into law as Chapter 467 on Oct. 16, 2025; S7548 passed both houses and was vetoed by the governor on Dec. 22, 2023; S940 signed into law as Chapter 501 on Nov. 22, 2024; S8609 passed the Senate on June 4, 2026 and the Assembly on June 5, 2026
Voting rights and election rules
Central to the raceNew York's own voting rights act, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York, has been in effect since July 1, 2023, and a 2024 law lets boards of elections set up absentee ballot drop-off locations; the Legislature decides whether to expand, keep or narrow these rules.
Zellnor Y. Myrie
In coverageSponsored the 2023 law setting the effective date of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York and voted for a law letting boards of elections set up absentee ballot drop-off locations. His Senate biography says he authored that voting rights act and, in 2021, held voter-focused hearings across the state and issued a report with more than 50 recommendations to reform elections.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Sponsored S818, setting July 1, 2023 as the effective date of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York; voted yes on Feb. 8, 2023, and it was signed into law as Chapter 169 on June 30, 2023. Voted yes on S610, authorizing boards of elections to establish absentee ballot drop-off locations, on Jan. 9, 2023 and on the final Senate vote on Jan. 8, 2024; it was signed into law as Chapter 500 of the Laws of 2024 on Nov. 22, 2024.
Sponsor of S818, voting yes; voted yes on S610 · 2023-01-09 to 2024-01-08 · S818 signed into law as Chapter 169 on June 30, 2023; S610 signed into law as Chapter 500 of the Laws of 2024 on Nov. 22, 2024
Housing and rents
Also in playA law signed in October 2025 addresses landlords' use of algorithmic pricing to set residential rents; in question is how far the state should regulate how rents are set.
Zellnor Y. Myrie
In coverageVoted for a 2025 law on landlords' use of algorithmic pricing to set the rent charged to residential tenants.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Voted yes on S7882, on the use of algorithmic pricing by landlords to determine residential rents, on June 9, 2025; it was signed into law as Chapter 437 on Oct. 16, 2025.
Voted yes on S7882 in the Senate · 2025-06-09 · Signed into law as Chapter 437 on Oct. 16, 2025
Medical aid in dying
Also in playMedical aid in dying became state law when the governor signed it on Feb. 6, 2026; the Legislature decides whether to keep, expand or restrict it.
Zellnor Y. Myrie
In coverageVoted for the Medical Aid in Dying Act in 2025, which became law in February 2026.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Voted yes on A136, the Medical Aid in Dying Act, in the Senate on June 9, 2025; it had passed the Assembly on April 29, 2025 and was signed into law as Chapter 714 of the Laws of 2025 on Feb. 6, 2026.
Voted yes on A136 in the Senate · 2025-06-09 · Signed into law as Chapter 714 of the Laws of 2025 on Feb. 6, 2026
Cannabis dispensary locations
Also in playA 2026 law amended the limits on how close retail adult-use cannabis dispensaries may be to schools and houses of worship; the Legislature decides where dispensaries may operate.
Zellnor Y. Myrie
In coverageVoted against a 2026 bill amending the limits on how close retail adult-use cannabis dispensaries may be to schools and houses of worship; it passed the Senate 35-24 and became law.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Voted no on S9155, amending provisions limiting the location of retail adult-use dispensaries near schools and houses of worship, on Feb. 11, 2026; it passed the Senate 35-24 and was signed into law as Chapter 2.
Voted no on S9155 in the Senate · 2026-02-11 · Passed the Senate 35-24 on Feb. 11, 2026; signed into law as Chapter 2
State budget and consumer protection
Also in playThe Legislature and governor set the state budget in bills such as the 2026-27 fiscal plan bill signed on May 28, 2026, and a 2026 law concerns the attorney general's ability to act against unfair, deceptive and abusive business practices.
Zellnor Y. Myrie
In coverageVoted for the 2024-25 education, labor, housing and family assistance budget bill and the 2026-27 state fiscal plan budget bill, and for a 2026 law on the attorney general's ability to act against unfair, deceptive and abusive business practices.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Voted yes on S8306C, the 2024-25 education, labor, housing and family assistance budget bill, on April 19, 2024; it passed the Senate 36-24 and was signed into law as Chapter 56 on April 20, 2024. Voted yes on S9009C, the 2026-27 state fiscal plan budget bill, on May 27, 2026; it was signed into law as Chapter 59 on May 28, 2026. Voted yes on S8811, on the attorney general's power over unfair, deceptive and abusive business practices, on Jan. 28, 2026; it was signed into law as Chapter 94 on March 27, 2026.
Voted yes on S8306C, S9009C and S8811 in the Senate · 2024-04-19 to 2026-05-27 · S8306 signed into law as Chapter 56 on April 20, 2024; S9009 signed into law as Chapter 59 on May 28, 2026; S8811 signed into law as Chapter 94 on March 27, 2026