The NYC mayoral election polls live show an intense and historic contest unfolding across New York City, with record voter turnout and national attention focused on the city’s political future. As of this evening, more than 1.75 million ballots have already been cast, setting a modern record for participation in a local mayoral race. Polls are scheduled to close at 9:00 p.m. ET, and early results will start appearing shortly after.
High Turnout and What It Means
This year’s New York City mayoral election has captured an unusually high level of voter engagement.
- Over 1.75 million votes have already been cast by 6 p.m., making it the highest turnout in decades.
- Early voting saw unprecedented participation, with over 700,000 early ballots submitted before Election Day.
- Analysts say the surge reflects strong interest among younger voters and renewed civic engagement in city politics.
The high turnout suggests a motivated electorate and possibly shifting political energy. It also underscores how key issues—like housing costs, public safety, and transportation—have drawn attention from voters across all five boroughs.
What the Polls Showed Before Election Day
The NYC mayoral election polls live data heading into Election Day showed Zohran Mamdani holding a steady lead over his competitors. Most recent polls placed Mamdani at around 45–47%, with Andrew Cuomo trailing in the low 30s and Curtis Sliwa in the mid to high teens.
While Mamdani maintained a consistent lead in aggregated polling averages, his campaign acknowledged that high turnout and last-minute undecided voters could still shift the margins. Cuomo’s independent run attracted attention from moderate Democrats and independents, while Sliwa’s base remained loyal in parts of Staten Island and Queens.
These dynamics set the stage for one of the most competitive and ideologically diverse mayoral elections in New York’s modern history.
Meet the Key Candidates
- Zohran Mamdani (Democrat) – A 34-year-old progressive from Queens, Mamdani built his campaign around housing affordability, climate action, and transportation equity. A self-described democratic socialist, he energized young voters and first-time participants in local politics.
- Andrew Cuomo (Independent) – The former New York Governor returned to city politics as an independent candidate after losing the Democratic primary. Cuomo positioned himself as a pragmatic centrist, emphasizing public safety, job growth, and infrastructure modernization.
- Curtis Sliwa (Republican) – The longtime Guardian Angels founder and media personality focused his platform on law enforcement, crime reduction, and reducing taxes. While polling lower citywide, Sliwa retained strong support among conservative voters and those prioritizing safety.
Together, these candidates reflect three distinct visions for the city’s future—progressive reform, centrist recovery, and traditional law-and-order governance.
Key Issues Driving the Race
1. Cost of Living and Housing
The cost of housing remains the most pressing concern among New Yorkers. Nearly 60% of voters identified affordability as the city’s top issue. Both Mamdani and Cuomo presented housing-centered agendas, though their solutions differ sharply.
2. Public Safety and Policing
Crime rates have stabilized in most boroughs, but perceptions of safety remain mixed. Cuomo called for adding officers and improving patrol coverage, while Mamdani promoted community-based policing and violence prevention programs.
3. Transportation and Infrastructure
Subway reliability and congestion pricing debates have been pivotal topics. Mamdani supports expanded public transit funding and climate-focused infrastructure, while Sliwa criticized congestion pricing as harmful to working commuters.
4. Economic Opportunity
Post-pandemic job recovery, small business incentives, and rent relief were frequent talking points across all campaigns. Voters expressed concern about wage growth lagging behind inflation and rising city costs.
Election Day Live: Where Things Stand Now
- Polls close at 9:00 p.m. ET, with the first results expected shortly after.
- As of early evening, turnout remains higher than forecasted, especially in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens.
- Exit polling suggests a strong youth turnout and a surge of first-time voters, a trend that may favor Mamdani.
- Cuomo’s campaign has emphasized last-minute momentum among moderate Democrats and older voters.
- Sliwa’s supporters have reported strong turnout in Staten Island and outer Queens neighborhoods.
The NYC mayoral election polls live reflect a city divided not by party, but by contrasting visions for its next chapter.
What Could Still Change the Outcome
Several late-breaking factors could influence the final result:
- Absentee and mail-in ballots – Thousands of ballots remain uncounted and may not be tallied until later this week.
- Geographic voting patterns – Manhattan tends to vote differently than outer boroughs, with Brooklyn and Queens often deciding close races.
- Independent and undecided voters – Roughly 8–10% of the electorate remained undecided heading into Election Day, and small shifts could prove decisive.
- Turnout in key demographics – Younger voters and working-class households are showing strong engagement, which may boost progressive candidates.
Although Mamdani leads in the polls, the final count will determine whether his edge holds or narrows as late votes arrive.
Timeline of Key Events
| Time (ET) | Event |
|---|---|
| 6:00 a.m. | Polls opened across New York City. |
| 12:00 p.m. | Midday turnout exceeded expectations, surpassing 800,000 ballots cast. |
| 6:00 p.m. | Over 1.75 million votes reported across all five boroughs. |
| 9:00 p.m. | Polls close; live counting and projections begin. |
| Late night | Early returns released, with borough-by-borough updates expected hourly. |
What Happens Next
After polls close, the Board of Elections will begin tabulating precinct-level data. Preliminary results may emerge tonight, but absentee and affidavit ballots could take several days to finalize.
Observers expect the final certified results within a week. Regardless of the outcome, this election is already making history for its turnout and the diversity of its candidate field.
The Bottom Line
The NYC mayoral election polls live show Zohran Mamdani leading as polls close, but the final verdict will depend on how different boroughs break and how late ballots trend. Andrew Cuomo’s independent run has turned what could have been a routine race into a generational test of New York’s political direction, while Curtis Sliwa’s consistent showing underscores the city’s complex and evolving electorate.
New York City voters have shown their enthusiasm at the ballot box, setting the stage for a defining moment in the city’s political landscape.
Stay tuned as results continue to come in — and share your thoughts on how New York City’s next mayor can best address the challenges ahead.