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Early voting in New York City is underway, with nearly 165,000 ballots already cast since Saturday for the upcoming November election. The mayoral race is drawing significant attention, featuring Democratic Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, independent ex-Governor Andrew Cuomo, and Republican Curtis Sliwa.
According to THE CITY, Mamdani, a Democratic socialist, held a major rally at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, attracting 10,000 attendees. He was joined by progressive figures like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders. Mamdani's campaign focuses on affordability, including proposals for free buses and childcare. Despite facing Islamophobic attacks from Cuomo and former Mayor Eric Adams, Mamdani remains the front-runner.
Early voting data shows a surge in turnout, particularly among voters over 55, who make up over half of the early voters. This demographic shift could benefit Cuomo, who is running as an independent. Gothamist reports that Cuomo is tied with Mamdani among voters aged 50 to 54 and leads among those over 65. Cuomo's campaign has been bolstered by endorsements from The Staten Island Advance and The Daily News.
Mamdani's campaign has focused on grassroots efforts, with volunteers knocking on over 150,000 doors in the past week. Meanwhile, Cuomo's campaign relies on a mix of paid advertising and grassroots efforts, supported by super PACs like Fix The City. The New York Times highlights Cuomo's efforts to consolidate support among moderate Democrats and Republicans.
Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa is trailing in third place, with no comment yet from his campaign. The election is set for November 4, and with early voting turnout high, the race remains competitive.
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