Early Voting and Turnout
Early voting concluded with 734,317 ballots cast over nine days, over four times higher than the 2021 early vote, according to the New York City Board of Elections. Currently, Zohran Mamdani leads with 45.8%, followed by Andrew Cuomo at 31.1% and Curtis Sliwa at 17.3%, based on the latest RealClearPolitics average.
Late endorsements from Donald Trump and Elon Musk have thrown the final stretch of the campaign into uncertainty, as voters weigh last-minute support for Cuomo.
Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams withdrew from the race on September 29 after low poll numbers. Adams, in office since January 2022, faced controversies, including a federal indictment for bribery and conspiracy, which was later dismissed.
This year’s mayoral contest has highlighted clear divisions among progressive, establishment, and conservative voters in the city.
How Voting Works
Unlike the primaries, which used ranked-choice voting, the general election uses a first-past-the-post system—the candidate with the most votes wins.
- NYC registered voters: 5.1 million (65% Democrats, 11% Republicans, ~1.1 million unaffiliated)
- Registration closed: October 25, 2025
- Polling hours: 6am–9pm (local variations exist)
Eligible voters must be US citizens, 18 or older, NYC residents for at least 30 days, and not restricted by felony convictions, mental incompetence, or registration elsewhere.
Candidates and Platforms
- a rentZohran Mamdani (Democrat, 34): Assembly member from Astoria. The campaign focuses on universal free childcare, free bus rides, rent freeze for rent-regulated apartments, higher taxes on wealthy New Yorkers, corporate tax increases, and affordable housing expansion.
- Andrew Cuomo (Independent, 67): Former governor running on a public safety platform, promising 5,000 new NYPD officers and stricter enforcement of quality-of-life offenses. Cuomo has received backing from Trump and Elon Musk.
- Curtis Sliwa (Republican, 71): Law-and-order platform emphasizing bureaucracy reduction and investment outside Manhattan, though polling shows limited support.
With about five million registered voters, New York City braces for a decisive election that could shape its political landscape for years to come.
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