New York City’s Democratic primary for mayor concludes on June 24, marking a pivotal moment in the city’s political calendar. With nearly a dozen candidates on the ballot and no clear majority leader, the race is expected to be decided through the city’s ranked choice voting system.
Who’s Leading the Race?
The race has narrowed to two frontrunners: former Governor Andrew Cuomo and progressive Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani. Polls show the contest is close, with Mamdani slightly edging out Cuomo in the latest Emerson College/PIX11/The Hill survey, winning 51.8% to 48.2% in the final round of ranked choice voting. However, earlier polls indicated a lead for Cuomo, including a May Marist poll showing him ahead by 60% to 40%.
How Ranked Choice Voting Works
New York City adopted ranked choice voting in 2019 and implemented it for the first time in 2021. The system allows voters to rank up to five candidates in order of preference. If no candidate receives over 50% of first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated. Voters who selected the eliminated candidate as their top choice then have their next-ranked candidate counted. This process continues until one candidate secures a majority.
While voters will know the results of first-choice ballots on June 24, the final outcome is expected no earlier than July 1, as the Board of Elections tabulates additional rounds.
Why Ranked Choice Matters This Year
With so many candidates in the race, it’s unlikely any single candidate will reach the 50% threshold in the first round. Ranked choice voting ensures that voters’ secondary preferences are counted, potentially reshaping the outcome. Besides Cuomo and Mamdani, the Democratic field includes:
- NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams
- NYC Comptroller Brad Lander
- Former DNC Vice Chair Michael Blake
- State Senators Zellnor Myrie and Jessica Ramos
- Former NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer
- Retired hedge fund manager Whitney Tilson
What About Mayor Eric Adams?
Mayor Eric Adams, elected in 2021 via ranked choice voting, is seeking re-election in November but is not running in the Democratic primary. He withdrew earlier this year following a series of corruption probes and the resignations of several high-level aides. Though a federal corruption case against Adams was eventually dropped, his approval ratings plummeted. In April, he announced he would run as an independent.
Republican and Independent Candidates
The only Republican candidate in the race is Curtis Sliwa, an anti-crime activist. Attorney Jim Walden joins Adams on the independent ticket. Both Cuomo and Mamdani have left the door open to continue their campaigns on a minor-party line if they lose the Democratic nomination.
The Cuomo Controversy
Andrew Cuomo, 67, resigned as governor in 2021 following allegations of sexual harassment by multiple women. A state Attorney General report detailed claims of inappropriate touching and behavior. Cuomo has denied any wrongdoing but admitted to occasionally making jokes or asking personal questions of staff. His administration also came under fire for withholding data on COVID-19 nursing home deaths and for receiving a $5 million book deal allegedly produced using state resources.
Several of Cuomo’s former aides have faced legal issues, including Joseph Percoco and Alain Kaloyeros, who were both convicted on corruption charges.
Voting Timeline and Results
- Primary Election Day: June 24 (Polls open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.)
- Early Voting: June 14–22
- Unofficial First-Choice Results: Expected shortly after polls close on June 24
- Ranked Choice Results: Preliminary tallies from multiple rounds expected by July 1
- Official Certified Results: Likely by July 14
Betting Markets and Final Thoughts
Betting markets have fluctuated throughout the race. While Cuomo led early on, Mamdani gained ground as polls tightened. On June 23, prediction market Polymarket briefly shifted in Mamdani’s favor following new polling, though Cuomo remained a slight favorite.
As New Yorkers head to the polls, the ranked choice system ensures every vote—and every ranking—counts in determining the city’s next Democratic nominee for mayor. In such a heavily Democratic city, the primary winner is strongly positioned to win the general election in November.
