The 2021 New York City Council election were held on November 2, 2021. The primary elections were held on June 22, 2021. There were several special elections for seats vacated in 2020 and early 2021; these special elections were the first to use ranked-choice voting in city council elections after it was approved by a ballot question in 2019. Due to redistricting after the 2020 Census, candidates also ran for two-year terms instead of four-year terms for the first time, stemming from the New York City Charter overhaul in 1989. Four-year terms will resume in the 2025 election after another two-year election in 2023. Incumbents not seeking re-election Term-limited incumbents 28 council members (26 Democrats and 2 Republicans) are prevented from seeking a third (fourth for pre-2010 council members) consecutive term due to term limits that were renewed by voters in a ballot referendum in 2010. Retiring incumbents Incumbents defeated in primary Resigned before election During the 2017–2021 council secession, 8 incumbents have resigned before the election for various reasons. Manhattan District 1 The 1st district covers the very bottom of Manhattan, including the Financial District, Tribeca, and Soho. Incumbent Democrat Margaret Chin was term-limited and cannot run for a fourth consecutive term. Christopher Marte was seen as the most progressive candidate in the race, while Jenny Low was noted for the major endorsements she had received and Gigi Li had outgoing councilwoman Chin's support. Marte's campaign was bolstered by anger within the district at Chin's ties to real-estate developers, as well as by name recognition Marte had gained while attempting to primary Chin in the previous council election. Democratic primary Candidates Susan Damplo, attorney Sean Hayes, attorney and law professor Tiffany Johnson-Winbush, former member of Manhattan Community Board 1 Susan Lee, author and non-profit executive Gigi Li, Chief of Staff to Margaret Chin Jenny Low, political staffer Maud Maron, attorney Christopher Marte, activist Denny Salas, activist Withdrawn Lester Chang Yubao Dai Dennis Mikhalsky Republican primary Jacqueline Toboroff Results Endorsements General election District 2 The 2nd district covers parts of the Lower East Side in Manhattan. Incumbent Democrat Carlina Rivera was running for reelection. Democratic primary Candidates Carlina Rivera, incumbent Councillor Erin Hussein, labor unionist Withdrawn Juan Pagan Endorsements Democratic primary General election Endorsements District 3 The 3rd district covers parts of the West Side of Manhattan, including Chelsea, West Midtown, and Greenwich Village. Incumbent Democrat and current Council Speaker