Harlem, it’s time to get ready — because what happens at the ballot box, both here in the city and across the country, impacts our future in big ways.
Local Focus: New York City
Before the nation’s eyes turn to the big marquee races, right here in New York City we’re deciding who leads our neighborhoods, our schools, our streets. The next mayor, city council members, and local officials will set priorities on policing, housing, arts funding, and community safety. How they vote, and how we engage, will shape what opportunities look like in Harlem.
National Scope: The 2026 Midterms
Come November 3, 2026, all 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and 33 Senate seats will be on the ballot. Control of Congress determines which policies move forward — from justice reform to arts funding to how communities like ours get heard.
Why It Matters for Harlem
If funding for the arts drops or if public-safety policy shifts without community input, projects we care about—like those from the Harlem Collective—can get left behind.
- Will local and national leaders champion community-based arts and educational programs?
- Will criminal-justice reform stay front and center?
- Will our voices be part of the conversation?
What You Can Do Right Now
- Get your voter registration in order.
- Follow local and national races — don’t wait until the final week.
- Use your network: talk to friends, family, neighbors about what’s on the line.
- Ask candidates directly: “How will you support Harlem’s creatives, youth, and community spaces?”
When Harlem votes, America hears. But we have to show up — and we have to vote with our voice.
Stay tuned to The Morning Show NYC for regular election updates, candidate breakdowns, and community-focused commentary that cuts through the noise