New York Mayoral Elections 2025 Mamdani Leads, Cuomo Trails

New York: Polls for the New York Mayoral Elections 2025 opened on Tuesday morning across all five boroughs, marking the final phase of one of the city’s most closely watched political races. Voting began at 6:00 am and will continue until 9:00 pm (GMT), with nearly five million registered voters expected to cast their ballots.

According to the New York City Board of Elections, a record 7,34,317 early votes were cast over the past nine days—more than four times the early voter turnout seen in the 2021 elections.

The latest RealClearPolitics average shows Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani in the lead with 46.1%, maintaining a 14.3-point advantage over independent candidate Andrew Cuomo (31.8%), and far ahead of Republican Curtis Sliwa (16.3%).

Mamdani, a state Assembly member from Queens and first-generation immigrant of South Asian and Ugandan heritage, has captivated younger and progressive voters with his bold agenda that includes universal free childcare, fare-free buses, and a citywide rent freeze. His campaign has been hailed as a reflection of a generational shift in New York’s politics, emphasizing social equity and grassroots governance.

Mamdani’s rise follows the withdrawal of former mayor Eric Adams, who resigned earlier this year amid a now-dismissed federal bribery case. His exit opened the field to new contenders, reshaping the city’s political landscape.

Andrew Cuomo, the former New York Governor, is running as an independent, hoping for a political comeback. His campaign focuses on public safety, economic recovery, and infrastructure revival, positioning him as a centrist counter to Mamdani’s progressive platform. Cuomo’s campaign received a surprise boost on Monday with endorsements from President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk—an unusual alliance that analysts say could sway moderate voters.

Meanwhile, Republican Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels, continues to emphasize law and order, animal welfare, and homelessness reduction, though he remains a distant third in the polls.

Political analysts predict a strong voter turnout as New Yorkers choose between contrasting visions for the city’s future—Mamdani’s progressive reform, Cuomo’s centrist revival, and Sliwa’s conservative discipline.

The results are expected to shape not just the next four years of governance but also the broader national conversation on urban leadership and progressive politics in the United States.