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Early voting in New York City continues to draw large numbers, with over 223,000 ballots cast by the end of Monday. Manhattan and Brooklyn lead the turnout with more than 67,000 votes each, followed by Queens at 52,000. The high turnout is largely driven by the upcoming mayoral election, featuring Democrat Zohran Mamdani, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, and Republican Curtis Sliwa.
Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani recently held a rally at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, drawing a crowd of 10,000. The event featured prominent figures such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders. Mamdani's campaign focuses on affordability, including free buses and child care for New Yorkers. He emphasized the campaign's grassroots nature, stating, "When we launched this campaign one year and three days ago, we were dismissed as a punch line in the halls of power" according to The City.
Meanwhile, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, running as an independent, sees promising support among older voters. According to Gothamist, voters over 55 make up the majority of the early turnout, which could benefit Cuomo. His campaign spokesperson, Rich Azzopardi, stated, "It’s been clear most voters don’t want New York City to be a socialist experiment."
The election is just a week away, and the campaigns are intensifying their efforts. Mamdani's team is focusing on door-to-door outreach, while Cuomo's campaign remains optimistic about the turnout. Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa has not yet commented on the early voting figures. As the election approaches, the high voter turnout indicates a keen interest in the city's future leadership.
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