Highlights:
- Progressive Democrat Zohran Mamdani holds a clear lead in NYC’s mayoral race.
- Former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa trail behind.
- Housing crisis, law and order, and immigration dominate voter concerns.
- The new mayor will take office on January 1, 2026.
- Voter turnout expected to decide tight margins in key boroughs.
Voters across New York City are casting their ballots today to elect the next mayor in one of the city’s most dynamic and closely watched races in recent years. The three-way contest pits progressive Democrat Zohran Mamdani against independent candidate and former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican radio host Curtis Sliwa.
Early opinion polls show Mamdani, a state assemblyman known for his progressive politics and grassroots appeal, maintaining a clear lead over his rivals. Cuomo, who is running as an independent after breaking away from the Democratic establishment, has positioned himself as a candidate of experience and stability. Meanwhile, Sliwa, the founder of the Guardian Angels, is appealing to conservative voters focused on crime and public order.
The next mayor will officially take office on January 1, 2026, stepping into leadership of the largest and most complex city in the United States.
Key issues shaping the election include the city’s surging cost of living, housing shortages, and migration challenges. New York’s housing crisis has emerged as a central theme, with vacancy rates dropping to just 1.41 percent — one of the lowest in decades. Nearly one in ten rental homes are now classified as overcrowded, and new housing permits fell again in 2024. “Most of us are working multiple jobs just to afford rent,” said Tom Grabher, a voter from Queens.
Public safety is another major concern. While serious crimes like murder have decreased from their pandemic-era highs, lower-level offences such as shoplifting continue to trouble residents and business owners.
Migration remains politically charged, with the city still absorbing waves of asylum seekers. All three candidates have criticized the Trump administration’s handling of immigration enforcement but differ in their approaches to managing the city’s migrant population and securing federal support.
As voting continues, both Mamdani and Cuomo have made last-minute appeals to New Yorkers. “A vote for experience and economic opportunity,” Cuomo urged on X, while Mamdani emphasized “a vision for justice and housing for all.”
Polls will close later tonight, and results are expected to come in through the evening, determining who will lead New York City into 2026.
