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As New York City gears up for its mayoral election on Tuesday, early voting has concluded with a record turnout. According to the New York City Board of Elections, over 735,000 residents cast their ballots during the early voting period, marking the highest turnout for a non-presidential election in the city's history. Brooklyn led the boroughs with 243,737 early votes.
The race features Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, independent candidate Andrew Cuomo, and Republican Curtis Sliwa. Mamdani, a democratic socialist, is currently leading in the polls with a significant margin over Cuomo, a former New York governor running as an independent after losing the Democratic primary. Sliwa, known for founding the Guardian Angels, trails behind in the polls.
Mamdani's campaign has focused on issues like rent freezes and affordable housing, while Cuomo emphasizes tax relief and housing development. Sliwa's platform centers on public safety and stabilizing property taxes. Each candidate spent the final hours of early voting making their case to voters across the city.
President Donald Trump has criticized Mamdani, labeling him a "communist" and expressing concerns about his potential impact on New York City. Meanwhile, Cuomo has positioned himself as a centrist alternative to Mamdani's progressive policies. The candidates will make their final appeals to voters as polls open on Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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