by Shah J. Choudhury
June 22, 2025: As New York City braces for its final day of early voting ahead of Tuesday’s Democratic mayoral primary (June 24), candidates are launching a last wave of campaigning in sweltering heat. Poll sites are open today, June 22, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. .
Record-Breaking Turnout
• Over 305,000 New Yorkers have cast early ballots—more than double the early turnout from 2021 at this stage .
• Brooklyn and Manhattan lead early voting, with Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island following .
Climate vs. Candidates
• Voter advocacy groups urge electing during cooler hours due to a heat advisory warning temperatures above 100°F on Tuesday .
• Candidates including Andrew Cuomo, Zohran Mamdani, Brad Lander, and Adrienne Adams have been targeting early voters across boroughs to secure favorable turnout .
Last-Year Pitch: Community Events & Endorsements
• Over the weekend, four leading Democratic hopefuls appeared together in Harlem with Reverend Al Sharpton; Spike Lee joined later, urging voters—“Even if it’s hot, do the right thing” .
• Zohran Mamdani walked through Queens to meet supporters and secured endorsements from frontline community leaders .
Ranked-Choice System in Action
• Today’s early voting marks the second use of ranked-choice voting (RCV) in the NYC mayoral primary .
• Under RCV, voters can rank up to five candidates, and if no contender reaches 50%, lower-ranked names are eliminated and their votes redistributed .
What to Expect
• The first-round results from Election Night will be released on June 24, with final certified results possibly delayed into early July due to RCV tabulation .
• Analysts warn that voter turnout—particularly among younger, progressive early voters—could shape the primary outcome amid Cuomo’s moderate base and Mamdani’s energized youth coalition .
Today’s Action
1. Early voting continues (9 a.m.–5 p.m.).
2. Poll watchers report busy sites, especially in Brooklyn and Manhattan.
3. Final campaign appearances—several candidates are looping key neighborhoods.
Final thought:
Today marks the last opportunity to vote ahead of Primary Day. With record-breaking participation, extended heatwave caution, and RCV dynamics in play, this year’s mayoral primary could signal a turning point in New York City’s political landscape.
