New Yorkers Rush to the Polls as Heated Democratic Mayoral Primary Nears Finish
As the sun began to set on a scorching Primary Day in New York City, voters rushed to cast their ballots in a high-stakes Democratic primary for mayor that has come down to a razor-thin contest between former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani. With polls closing at 9 p.m., both campaigns made urgent, last-minute pushes to mobilize supporters.
Under a relentless heatwave that pushed Central Park temperatures to 95°F, the citywide race unfolded against a backdrop of political drama, historical comebacks, and generational divides. Cuomo, 67, is seeking political redemption four years after resigning amid a sexual harassment scandal. Mamdani, 33, a democratic socialist and rising progressive star, has surged with the support of young voters and a grassroots campaign.
High Stakes, Tight Race
After months of contentious debates, attack ads, and unpredictable twists—including the arrest of City Comptroller Brad Lander last week—the field has narrowed to two clear front-runners. A dozen other candidates, including City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, former Comptroller Scott Stringer, and financier Whitney Tilson, trailed far behind in the latest polls.
According to the New York City Board of Elections, as of 7:30 p.m., more than 930,000 ballots had been cast—380,000 of them during the early voting period. The turnout appears significantly higher than the 2021 primaries, especially among young voters, a demographic that polls show leans heavily toward Mamdani. Meanwhile, Cuomo’s campaign is counting on a strong showing from older voters on Election Day itself.
Ranked-Choice Voting in Play
With ranked-choice voting once again in effect, New Yorkers are selecting not just their top choice but up to five preferred candidates. If no one receives more than 50% of the first-choice votes, tabulation of ranked choices will begin. That process could take until July 1, meaning the city may not have a definitive winner until next week.
The Final Push
Mamdani began his Primary Day in Queens at dawn and campaigned across the city alongside progressive allies, including Lander, despite his recent arrest. “This kind of collaboration, this kind of sincerity—this could be the tonic to the politics of the Trump administration,” Mamdani said while greeting voters on the Upper West Side.
Cuomo, who has kept a lower profile on the trail, voted for himself in Manhattan but made few public appearances Tuesday. However, during a private call Monday night with a union backing him, Cuomo made a rare, emotional appeal: “Please, please, please make a special effort” to get voters to the polls.
The former governor’s campaign has leaned heavily on union support and a record-breaking super PAC that has flooded the airwaves with anti-Mamdani messaging. In contrast, Mamdani’s campaign has relied on a large army of volunteers, many of them first-time organizers motivated by his progressive message.
A City at a Crossroads
Whoever wins this Democratic primary will likely become the next mayor in November, as Republicans are not holding a primary this year. Former nominee Curtis Sliwa is expected to run again.
The winner will face the monumental task of leading a city grappling with a worsening cost-of-living crisis, housing shortages, and President Donald Trump’s aggressive policies on immigration and transportation—issues that defined the campaign narrative over the past few months.
More Than Just the Mayor’s Race
The June 24 primary also includes key races for city comptroller, public advocate, and multiple City Council seats. Democrats are selecting a new comptroller to replace Lander, while Republicans are holding a separate contest for that post. The public advocate race and various City Council matchups are also drawing local attention, with many progressives hoping to shift the council further left.
What to Expect Tonight
Once polls close at 9 p.m., preliminary results will begin rolling in, and political observers will be watching closely to see who emerges in the lead. But with the ranked-choice system in play, a full and final result is unlikely tonight.
Voters can still find their polling places here, and follow the latest election updates, campaign trail photos, results, and analysis through these resources:
As New Yorkers brace for the final tally, one thing is certain: this primary will go down as one of the most dramatic and consequential in the city’s recent memory.
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