The 2025 New York City mayoral election is set for Tuesday, with implications for the future of the Democratic Party. Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old state assembly member and democratic socialist, faces former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent after losing the Democratic primary. The election also marks the second consecutive run for Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa.
Key Candidates in the Election
- Zohran Mamdani: The progressive candidate representing the younger wing of the Democratic Party.
- Andrew Cuomo: Former governor running as an independent, aiming to capture moderate voters.
- Curtis Sliwa: Republican nominee making his second attempt at the mayoral post.
Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams dropped out of the race in late September due to low approval ratings but will remain on the ballot. The election will also include votes for city council members and other local officials.
Election Context
In his campaign, Mamdani focused on addressing cost-of-living issues using progressive solutions. His approach attracted significant attention from younger voters but alienated moderate Democrats, some of whom are wary of his policies. Despite delays in endorsements from key Congressional figures, he received backing from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries just before early voting began.
Mamdani enters the election as a favorite due to the city’s Democratic majority, with registered Democrats outnumbering Republicans nearly 6 to 1. As of October 28, Mamdani has spent approximately $12.8 million, with $4 million still available. Cuomo’s campaign has seen expenditures of about $12.1 million, while Sliwa’s spending stands at $5.1 million.
Additional Elections and Proposals
Alongside the New York City mayoral election, Buffalo will also elect a new mayor. The contest includes State Senator Sean Ryan, former Erie County District Attorney James Gardner, and independent candidate Michael Gainer. Ryan, who has considerably outspended his rivals, aims to succeed Acting Mayor Christopher Scanlon following the resignation of long-serving Mayor Byron Brown.
Ballot Proposals
Voters statewide will also consider an amendment concerning the expansion of a sports complex in the Adirondack Mountains. A “yes” vote would enable the development of Nordic ski and biathlon trails while expanding the forest preserve by about 2,500 acres.
Voter Participation and Expectations
The polls for this crucial election will close at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Around 5.1 million individuals are registered to vote in New York City, with 65% being Democrats. Approximately 1.1 million voters remain unaffiliated with any party.
In the previous mayoral election, voter turnout was about 21%, representing just over 1.1 million ballots cast. An automatic recount may occur if any race has a margin of victory of fewer than 5,000 votes for larger races or 0.5% for smaller races. While results are expected to start coming in soon after polls close, the process can take considerable time, depending on the number of ballots counted.
The upcoming election day promises to be a pivotal moment for New York City, with significant implications for its governance and political landscape.
