The three candidates for Queens' 13th district State Senate seat are awaiting the results of today's special election following the closing of polls at 9 p.m.

The outcome will determine whether former State Senator Hiram Monserrate will return to Albany.

Monserrate's seat was vacated last month, after his Senate colleagues voted to expel him.

He decided to seek re-election but he no longer has the support of the Queens Democratic Party. Assemblyman Jose Peralta has stepped in as the party's pick.

Both cast their votes this morning at The Renaissance School in Jackson Heights.

Robert Beltrani is the Republican candidate.

Monserrate was convicted in October of a misdemeanor in connection with an incident where he dragged his girlfriend through her apartment building. Although he was acquitted of more serious assault charges, the conviction led to his expulsion.

"You can't judge someone just because one mistake they might have made during their life," he said.

He believes that he will be re-elected based on his experience.

"I think I have far more experience in delivering real results, real, tangible results to this community than my opponent," he said. "I have been a very active legislator passing well over a dozen bills. My opponent hasn't done any of the above. And I think when you look at my record of public service, you will find it's stellar in comparison to his, which is really unremarkable."

Monserrate does still have some supporters.

"This was a hatchet job against him; it's a wolf-pack mentality," said a voter. "I also feel you need a man like Monserrate up there to represent the interests of everybody."

However, the majority of voters who NY1 spoke with this morning said they were backing Peralta, with many saying they did not feel that Monserrate could return to Albany and represent the community.

"I feel that Monserrate has done us badly in terms of his behavior and it's very important to vote for Jose Peralta," said one voter.

"I think that he's just not an acceptable representative of any facet of the American people,” said another.

Peralta, pictured left with his son, echoed the same sentiment.

"Unfortunately, Mr. Monserrate has no political capital," said Peralta. "Being expelled 53-8, I don't know how he can spin his way out of saying that if he were to get elected everyone's going to be willing to work with him. It's just not going to happen."

The Republican candidate said he, too, does not believe Monserrate belongs back in Albany.

"My fear is the dysfunction will ensue should [Monserrate] be elected," said Beltrani. "Again, this isn't the time for that. We need to focus on the budget."

If Monserrate loses, he has said he might go after Peralta's Assembly seat, which would become vacant, or he could choose to run again for the Senate in November.

The 13th State Senate District encompasses East Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Corona, and parts of Elmhurst and Woodside.