New York, NY —

Voters in southwest Brooklyn are casting ballots today in a special election to replace former Councilman Simcha Felder.

Felder has moved on to a top post with City Comptroller John Liu. Two democrats, David Greenfield and Joseph Lazar, and Republican Ken Rice are all vying for Felder's council seat which represents Borough Park, Midwood and Bensonhurst.

The two Democrats raised enough money to qualify for close to $90,000 each in public matching funds. Greenfield is a lawyer and vice president of the Sephardic Communtiy Federation. Lazar is a veteran city official who was the regional director for the state's Department of Mental Health. Rice, the Republican, is an NYPD lawyer.

Polls are open until 9 tonight in the 44th City Council District in Brooklyn.