The recent early voting period in New York City concluded with record-breaking numbers, setting a new precedent for non-presidential elections. The New York City Board of Elections (BOE) reported an impressive total of 735,317 early voting check-ins during the nine-day period.
Historic Early Voting Turnout
This year’s turnout exceeds the early voting numbers from the 2021 mayoral election by more than four times. In 2021, only 169,879 check-ins were recorded. This dramatic increase highlights a growing enthusiasm among New Yorkers regarding local leadership.
Borough Breakdown of Early Voting
The turnout varied significantly across the boroughs:
- Brooklyn: 243,737 check-ins
- Manhattan: 212,679 check-ins
- Queens: 166,519 check-ins
- Bronx: 58,661 check-ins
- Staten Island: 53,721 check-ins
Brooklyn and Manhattan each exceeded 200,000 check-ins, while Queens surpassed 100,000. The Bronx and Staten Island followed, with numbers over 50,000.
Comparative Analysis with Previous Elections
This year’s numbers are particularly noteworthy, as the first weekend alone recorded 164,190 check-ins. This figure nearly matches the entire early voting total from the 2021 election.
Early voting has gained traction since its introduction in 2019, especially among specific demographics. The New York City Campaign Finance Board reported that older voters, new voters, those who previously voted early, and residents living within proximity to voting locations were more likely to participate.
Gearing Up for Election Day
As New Yorkers prepare for Election Day on Tuesday, polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Voters will cast ballots for mayor, public advocate, comptroller, borough presidents, City Council positions, and judges. There are also six ballot proposals to consider, many of which pertain to changes in land use decisions.
Highly contested is the race for mayor, with Democrat Zohran Mamdani, independent Andrew Cuomo, and Republican Curtis Sliwa at the forefront. Latest polls suggest Mamdani maintains a lead, though Cuomo appears to be closing the gap.
Voters can find their designated polling sites and view sample ballots through the appropriate resources. Early voting popularity signals an engaged electorate heading into Election Day.
