Shah J. Choudhury
New York:The Democratic primary election for the 2025 New York City mayoral race is being held today, Tuesday, June 24. Polls are open from 6 AM to 9 PM across the five boroughs. This year’s election is once again using Ranked-Choice Voting (RCV), allowing voters to rank up to five candidates in order of preference.
Early signs indicate a higher voter turnout compared to previous years. Nearly 400,000 votes were cast during the early voting period from June 14 to June 22—double the turnout of 2021. Despite today’s extreme heatwave in the city, voter enthusiasm remains high, with election officials providing fans, water, and assistance at polling sites.
Key Candidates
The top contenders in this year’s Democratic primary include former Governor Andrew Cuomo, progressive Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, State Senator Jessica Ramos, and others. Analysts suggest that Cuomo and Mamdani are emerging as the frontrunners in a closely watched contest.
When Will Results Be Announced?
While polls close at 9 PM, final results are not expected tonight due to the ranked-choice counting process. The Board of Elections will release first-round unofficial results this evening. However, if no candidate secures more than 50% in the first round, ranked-choice tabulations will begin.
The official ranked-choice results are expected to be announced by 12 PM on July 1, with final certification to follow by July 15.
What’s at Stake?
The winner of the Democratic primary will be the presumptive favorite in the November general election, as Democrats hold a strong majority in the city. Possible Republican and independent challengers include Curtis Sliwa, Jim Walden, and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams.
Some candidates, including Cuomo and Mamdani, have kept open the option of running as independents in November, even if they lose today’s primary.
Message to Voters
Election officials are urging all eligible voters to make their voices heard before polls close. Youth and first-time voters are expected to play a pivotal role in this year’s outcome.
