[Read more about the public advocate race in New York Today.]

It is a special election the likes of which New York has never seen: 17 candidates vying to become the city’s public advocate, in a nonpartisan battle featuring past and present members of the state Legislature and City Council.

It has been an expensive endeavor. The city’s Campaign Finance Board doled out $7.1 million in matching funds to candidates, and its Board of Elections expected to spend $11 million to $15 million to organize the election on Tuesday, which was made necessary after Letitia James vacated the public advocate job to become the state attorney general.

Why all the trouble and interest, especially for a position that some say should be abolished?

First, the public advocate is next in line to replace a mayor departing in midterm. Second, others, including Mayor Bill de Blasio, have used the office as a springboard to higher positions. The public advocate also serves as an ombudsman, fielding complaints from residents and examining how city agencies are functioning.

Then again, all of the effort put forth by the candidates, the Campaign Finance Board and the Board of Elections is technically for the honor of serving 10 months: Another election will be held in November to fill out the final two years of Ms. James’s term. Primaries were scheduled for June.