The early results from the NYC mayoral primary put Mamdani and Cuomo near the lead. June 24, 2025.
© Erik McGregor + © Sipa USA
(New York, NY) – After 384,000 New Yorkers cast their votes early in the mayoral primary, brutal heat and humidity descended on the city for Primary Day. And after the polls closed at 9pm, the results pointed to a reality many had been expecting for weeks: former governor Andrew Cuomo and progressive state lawmaker Zohran Mamdani neck-and-neck.
In the early polls, Cuomo seemed a shoe-in. Many pundits pointed to his extensive experience as governor, and the fact his campaign chest was well funded, as the main reasons he was the favorite. But Mamdani charged hard from the left, making free bus rides, city-run grocery stores, and so-called “progressive” policies. That enticed younger voters, and built a coalition of sorts among people who had rejected Cuomo’s candidacy.
As for Cuomo, his political problems are as well documented as his past accomplishments. He notoriously ordered nursing homes to accept COVID-positive patients during the early days of the pandemic — and later rescinded that order — but it’s likely it led to an elevated death toll. Cuomo was also accused of using staffers to help write a pandemic-era book that he was paid millions for. Plus, he eventually resigned amid allegations of sexual misconduct — including claims he tried to date staffers.
The reality of ranked-choice voting means the city may need to wait a few more days to find out who the Democratic nominee is. A candidate needs to secure more than 50% of the vote to bypass the process. Otherwise, a series of “rounds” are held in which votes are tallied on a ranked, 1-5 basis — with candidates being dropped off each round.
Proponents of ranked-choice voting say it encourages more candidates to run, and more voters to participate. It’s also aimed at avoiding a runoff election, which can be a costly undertaking.
In terms of assessing the top candidates, Cuomo maintains high popularity with black voters, older New Yorkers, women and Latinos. But some voters aren’t ready to forgive him for the COVID nursing home scandal, sexual harassment cases, and perhaps his support of congestion pricing and bail reform.
Mamdani, a 33-year-old Democratic member of the State Assembly, has formed a coalition with voters under the age of 50, college educated voters, and whites in progressive sections of the five boroughs — such as Manhattan. But he’s notably weaker with Black, Hispanic, and older voters. He has received criticism for seeming out of touch with working-class realities.
Ranked-choice voting lets New Yorkers put five people on their ballot, ranked 1-5. The Republican party did not hold a primary because Curtis Sliwa is running unopposed and will be the GOP candidate in the November election. Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams is running as an independent. He told the New York Post he voted, given he’s a registered Democrat, and chose himself as the five candidates. But that makes no difference — when a voter does that — only the top choice is counted.
© 77 WABC | Paige Moreno and Haley Kenny contributed to this report.
