NYC Early voting Closes with High Turnout as Mayoral Race Nears Decision
NEW YORK – Early voting concluded across New York City at 5 p.m. Sunday, with election officials reporting significant turnout as voters cast ballots in a closely watched mayoral race featuring self-reliant Andrew Cuomo, Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, and Republican Curtis Sliwa. Polls will reopen on Tuesday, Election Day, from 6 a.m.to 9 p.m.
The race has drawn national attention, with Cuomo, 67, campaigning against Mamdani, 34, arguing the younger candidate is too inexperienced, too anti-cop, and too critical of Israel. Cuomo recently addressed worshippers at Heavenly Vision Church and told reporters, ”This kid is going to deal with Donald Trump? Donald Trump will step on him and do whatever he wants in New York.”
Mamdani, a socialist, has garnered support from some Democrats, including Gov. Kathy Hochul and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-Brooklyn), who endorsed him after a period of observation. though, Jeffries downplayed Mamdani’s potential as the future of the Democratic Party, stating, “I think the future of the Democratic Party is going to fall…relative to the house Democratic Caucus and members who are doing a great work all across the country.” New York’s Senators, Chuck schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, have not endorsed Mamdani.
The race remains competitive. While Sliwa, 71, has generally trailed in polls, a recent Emerson College/PIX 11/The Hill survey released Thursday showed him in a dead heat with Cuomo for second place. Sliwa has positioned himself as a “law and order” candidate, receiving an endorsement from Rudy Giuliani and declaring himself “Giuliani, 2.0.”
Cuomo has sought to discredit Mamdani’s recent outreach to prominent figures, dismissing a reported phone call with former President Barack Obama as not an endorsement. He also highlighted a 2013 tweet in which Mamdani referred to Obama as “pretty damn evil,” a comment Mamdani later described as ”the stupid tweet of a college student.”
The candidates recently participated in a debate hosted by NBC 4 New York/WNBC, Telemundo 47/WNJU, and POLITICO New York, addressing issues including Israel and Gaza, affordability, and President trump.
Concerns persist among Cuomo supporters about his ability to defeat Mamdani and his growing movement,particularly with Sliwa remaining a factor in the election. The high early voting turnout suggests significant voter engagement and could indicate a record-breaking election.
