Early voting begins in New York mayoral race
Polling stations opened Saturday for early in-person voting in one of the most closely watched elections in the United States
NEW YORK, United States (MNTV) – Polling stations opened Saturday for early in-person voting in one of the most closely watched elections in the United States — the New York City mayoral race.
Voters are choosing between Democrat Zohran Mamdani, Republican Curtis Sliwa, and former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent.
Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who dropped out of the race last month, has endorsed Cuomo.
Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist and the city’s first Muslim mayoral front-runner, has drawn strong support from liberal voters with pledges of universal childcare, free public buses, and a rent freeze on New York’s roughly one million rent-regulated apartments.
Cuomo has criticized Mamdani’s stance on Israel, accusing him of extremism.
Mamdani, who has faced Islamophobic attacks during the campaign, has said Israel’s actions in Gaza amount to genocide — a view supported by UN experts and rights organizations.
In an emotional speech Friday, Mamdani called the attacks against him “racist and baseless.”
“To be Muslim in New York is to expect indignity,” he said. “But indignity does not make us distinct. It is the tolerance of that indignity that does.”
Cuomo has portrayed his opponent’s policies as unrealistic, urging voters to favor his experience as a former governor. He resigned in 2021 following multiple allegations of sexual harassment.
Early voting, introduced in New York in 2019, has grown in popularity — with about 35% of ballots cast early during the June primary, according to the city’s campaign finance board.
In neighboring New Jersey, voters are also heading to the polls for a gubernatorial race between Republican Jack Ciattarelli and Democrat Mikie Sherrill.
Both contests are seen as indicators of the Democratic Party’s direction ahead of future national elections.
The winner in New Jersey will replace outgoing Democratic Governor Phil Murphy, who is term-limited.
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