New York City residents have displayed significant interest and participation in the upcoming mayoral election set for Tuesday. Early, in-person voting saw over 735,000 ballots cast over nine days, a stark increase from the 2021 election’s turnout, which was the only other mayoral race to offer early voting.
The election in the city, home to around 8.5 million people and the financial hub of the United States, is closely watched nationwide. Recent polls indicate that the city may elect its first Muslim mayor, a Democrat, triggering U.S. President Donald Trump to threaten withholding federal funds from New York.
The main contenders are Democrat Zohran Mamdani, Republican Curtis Sliwa, and former New York governor Andrew Cuomo, running as an Independent. Mamdani, a 34-year-old state assemblyman, emerged victorious in the Democratic primary against Cuomo, leading the latter to switch to an Independent stance.
Mamdani, a self-proclaimed democratic socialist, has campaigned on addressing living costs and enhancing affordability in the city. His proposals include taxing the wealthiest New Yorkers, increasing corporate taxes, stabilizing apartment rents, and boosting publicly subsidized housing.
Cuomo, aged 67, seeks a political comeback after resigning as governor four years ago amid sexual harassment allegations. Despite his Democratic background, Cuomo has courted Republican voters by contrasting Mamdani’s potential administration with left-wing Latin American governments. He pledges to bolster law enforcement and tackle crime.
Sliwa, a 71-year-old activist, trails behind the two frontrunners. He is a former mayoral candidate who founded the Guardian Angels, a crime-fighting non-profit, in 1979. Sliwa emphasizes improving quality of life, especially in outer boroughs, and prioritizing public safety while distancing himself as an anti-Trump Republican.
The current mayor, Adams, initially planned to run as an Independent but withdrew due to poor polling numbers. Consequently, his name remains on the ballot.
Polls across New York’s boroughs are scheduled to open at 6 a.m. ET and close at 9 p.m. ET. Results are anticipated promptly, as in the 2021 election, where the winner was announced about 10 minutes after polls closed. The outcome of Tuesday’s election is expected to be closely contested, with Mamdani leading but Cuomo narrowing the gap in recent days.
Trump has been vocal during the race, threatening actions against Mamdani if he wins and urging New Yorkers not to vote for Sliwa. The former president has warned of reduced federal funding to New York if Mamdani assumes office.
A Mamdani victory could have implications for the Democratic Party, as opinions within the party on his candidacy vary. While he gained endorsement from Democratic leaders, concerns linger that Republicans could exploit his socialist views to the party’s detriment.