How do you decide who to vote for judge in NYC?

New Yorkers often don’t know which judges they’re voting for until they look at their ballot. (They may not even know judicial candidates are on the ballot!) The process of becoming a judge in New York City is a complicated one, and it can be difficult for voters to decide between candidates. 

But where there’s little public information available, bar associations can help fill the void. Three boroughs have competitive judicial elections this November, and these trade groups for lawyers have taken a close look at the candidates and rated them, based on factors including impartiality, integrity, knowledge of the law and temperament. 

For example, the New York City Bar Association rates candidates as “approved” or “not approved” based on a questionnaire regarding their legal experience, references and interviews with the 50-member Judiciary Committee. 

The LGBT Bar Association of Greater New York rates candidates as “highly approved,” “approved”, “not approved” or “failed to appear” following questionnaires and interviews. Candidates are approved when they demonstrate a commitment to the equality of rights for LGBT people, are unbiased and possess the intellect and experience to perform the role, according to the association. And the Queens County Bar Association rates candidates as “well qualified” or “qualified” after in-person or zoom meetings, but also notes who did not appear before the committee.  

Here’s what those bar associations are saying about judicial candidates ahead of the Nov. 3 election. 

Brooklyn

Justice of the Supreme Court – 2nd Judicial District – Kings (4 seats)

Democratic/Republican/Conservative: Betsey Jean Jacques

NYC Bar Association: Approved

LGBT Bar Association: Approved

Democratic/Republican: Hemalee J. Patel

NYC Bar Association: Approved

LGBT Bar Association: Not approved

Conservative: William D. Spain Jr. 

NYC Bar Association: Not approved

LGBT Bar Association: Failed to appear

Democratic/Republican/Conservative: Sherveal Mimes

NYC Bar Association: Approved

LGBT Bar Association: Approved

Democratic/Republican/Conservative: Lola Waterman

NYC Bar Association: Approved

LGBT Bar Association: Approved

Judge of the Civil Court – 4th Municipal Court District – Kings (2 seats)

Democratic: Xavier Carr

NYC Bar Association: Not approved

LGBT Bar Association: Failed to appear

Democratic: Anthony W. Vaughn Jr.

NYC Bar Association: Approved

LGBT Bar Association: Approved

Republican/Conservative: Aaron Franklin

NYC Bar Association: Not approved

LGBT Bar Association: Failed to appear

Judge of the Civil Court – 8th Municipal Court District – Kings (1 seat)

Democratic: Susan A. Liebman 

NYC Bar Association: Not approved

LGBT Bar Association: Approved

Republican: Etan C. Harris

NYC Bar Association: Not approved

LGBT Bar Association: Failed to appear

Queens

Justice of the Supreme Court - 11th Judicial District – Queens (3 seats)

Democratic: Edwin I. Novillo

Queens County Bar Association: Highly qualified

NYC Bar Association: Approved

LGBT Bar Association: Approved

Republican: Gary Muraca

Queens County Bar Association: Failed to appear

NYC Bar Association: Not approved

LGBT Bar Association: Failed to appear

Democratic: Oma D. Phillips

Queens County Bar Association: Qualified

NYC Bar Association: Approved

LGBT Bar Association: Approved

Republican: David A. Bellon

Queens County Bar Association: Failed to appear

NYC Bar Association: Not approved

LGBT Bar Association: Failed to appear

Democratic: Gail A. Adams

Queens County Bar Association: Failed to appear

NYC Bar Association: Not approved

LGBT Bar Association: Failed to appear

Judge of the Civil Court - Queens (3 seats)

Democratic: Edmond Wong

Queens County Bar Association: Qualified

NYC Bar Association: Approved 

LGBT Bar Association: Failed to appear

Republican/Conservative: Thomas D. Barra

Queens County Bar Association: Failed to appear

NYC Bar Association: Not approved

LGBT Bar Association: Failed to appear

Democratic/Republican: Julie M. Milner

Queens County Bar Association: Failed to appear

NYC Bar Association: Not approved 

LGBT Bar Association: Failed to appear

Democratic: Jasmine I. Valle-Bueno

Queens County Bar Association: Qualified

NYC Bar Association: Approved

LGBT Bar Association: Highly approved

Republican/Conservative: Michael Mossa

Queens County Bar Association: Failed to appear

NYC Bar Association: Not approved

LGBT Bar Association: Failed to appear

Judge of the Civil Court – 2nd Municipal Court District – Queens (1 seat)

Democratic: Janet Ellen Keller 

Queens County Bar Association: Qualified

NYC Bar Association: Approved

LGBT Bar Association: Approved

Republican: Stephen C. Dachtera

Queens County Bar Association: Failed to appear

NYC Bar Association: Not approved

LGBT Bar Association: Failed to appear

Judge of the Civil Court – 3rd Municipal Court District – Queens (1 seat)

Democratic: Michael Ann McSweeney-Ortiz

Queens County Bar Association: Qualified

NYC Bar Association: Approved

LGBT Bar Association: Failed to appear

Republican/Conservative: William David Shanahan

Queens County Bar Association: Qualified

NYC Bar Association: Approved

LGBT Bar Association: Failed to appear

Staten Island

Justice of the Supreme Court - 13th Judicial District – Richmond County (1 seat)

Democratic: Kelvin Richards

NYC Bar Association: Approved

LGBT Bar Association: Failed to appear

Republican: Michael J. Pinto

NYC Bar Association: Approved

LGBT Bar Association: Failed to appear

Judge of the Civil Court – Richmond (1 seat)

Democratic: Tashanna Golden

NYC Bar Association: Approved

LGBT Bar Association: Highly approved

Republican: Glenn A. Yost

NYC Bar Association: Approved

LGBT Bar Association: Failed to appear

Judge of the Civil Court – 1st Municipal Court District – Richmond (1 seat)

Democratic: John A. Vitucci

NYC Bar Association: Approved

LGBT Bar Association: Approved

Republican/Conservative: Carrie Ann Low

NYC Bar Association: Approved

LGBT Bar Association: Failed to appear