New York City is breaking records in its mayoral election, with an extraordinary number of voters heading to the polls. As of 6 pm, close to 1.75 million New Yorkers had cast their ballots, establishing a new benchmark for mayoral election turnout in the city over the past three decades. The election pits Zohran Mamdani, a rising democratic socialist star, against former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is competing as an independent candidate. Curtis Sliwa represents the Republican party in this highly watched race. Voting stations were scheduled to conclude operations at 9 pm.
The election holds profound significance for the city and beyond. Should Zohran Mamdani win, he would become New York City’s first Muslim mayor and its youngest chief executive in generations, solidifying his position as a national progressive leader. Andrew Cuomo’s potential win would be a notable political comeback, especially considering the circumstances of his departure from the governorship. Curtis Sliwa, known for his public safety advocacy, aims to secure a Republican victory, arguing for strong leadership to address city challenges. Mamdani and Cuomo cast their ballots in Queens and Manhattan, respectively, while Sliwa had utilized early voting options. The election has garnered national attention, including commentary from former President Trump, who has expressed strong opposition to Mamdani’s candidacy and, in a late development, offered a reluctant endorsement of Cuomo.