NYC Mayoral Race Heads to Ranked-Choice Count Amid Controversy and Uncertainty

 

The New York City mayoral primary is heating up, and despite former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s recent announcement—drawing both attention and criticism—the race is far from over. With no candidate among the 11 on the ballot securing more than 50% of the vote, the election is officially headed into a ranked-choice runoff.

What Happens Next?

Tuesday's preliminary results don't include any ranked-choice tabulations. According to the NYC Board of Elections, voters won't see full results until July 1, when officials begin processing the ranked-choice rounds.

Here’s how it works:

• If no one gets more than 50% of the vote in the first round (which no one did), the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated.
• Voters who chose that candidate as their first choice then have their second-choice votes counted.
• This process repeats, round after round, until only two candidates remain.
• The one with the most votes in the final round wins the primary.

It’s a system designed to give voters more voice and ensure broad support for the winner—but it also means delays in getting final results.

Vincent Ignizio, spokesperson for the Board of Elections, said the wait is necessary due to the time it takes to collect data from voting machines citywide. Officials aim to certify the final results by July 15.

Voter Turnout and Context

So far, nearly 1 million New Yorkers cast their votes either early or on Primary Day. For comparison, the 2021 mayoral primary—the city’s first experience with ranked-choice voting—saw around 942,000 votes cast.

In deep-blue New York City, winning the Democratic primary usually means a clear path to victory in the general election. But this year, things are more complicated.

An Unexpected Twist: Mayor Adams Runs as Independent

Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who was elected as a Democrat, has announced plans to run as an independent in the November general election. His decision could shake up the race and potentially split the Democratic vote—especially given the criticisms he's faced during his time in office.

Meanwhile, some of the current candidates are dealing with backlash over their remarks on sensitive issues, particularly surrounding Israel, further adding tension to an already complex race.

What to Watch For

With the ranked-choice rounds set to begin and political dynamics shifting rapidly, all eyes are on July 1. Until then, voters and campaigns alike will be anxiously awaiting the next phase of this high-stakes race.

Stay tuned—we’ll keep you updated as New York City’s next mayor slowly emerges from a crowded and contentious field.