Record Voter Turnout in New York Mayoral Race
More than 2 million voters participated in New York City's mayoral election, marking the highest turnout since 1969. This surge in voter engagement was driven by the competitive three-way race among Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa, according to the city Board of Elections.
Comparison with Previous Elections
- Over 2 million votes cast in this election.
- Only 1.1 million ballots were cast in 2021, when Eric Adams won.
- The last similarly high turnout was in 1969, when John Lindsay won re-election on a third-party ticket.
Election Demographics and Impact
So far, the combined in-person and absentee ballots represent about 34% of New York City's approximately 5.3 million registered voters. Mamdani garnered over 1 million votes, demonstrating his campaign's ability to mobilize a highly engaged electorate.
This election shifted the city's voter base from predominantly older, centrist Democrats to a younger, left-leaning demographic, largely attracted by Mamdani's grassroots efforts.
Campaign Dynamics
Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa both attempted to counterbalance Mamdani's momentum. Cuomo, backed by tens of millions in attack ads, framed Mamdani as a radical, seeking to galvanize his own base. Sliwa, the Republican nominee, also fought to rally voters against Mamdani.
The number of voters casting ballots in the tense three-way race for mayor between Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa broke records, with more than 2 million check-ins, according to the city Board of Elections.
Summary: The 2025 New York mayoral race saw unprecedented voter turnout, fueled by Zohran Mamdani’s appeal to younger, progressive voters and a highly competitive campaign atmosphere.