The NYC mayoral election polls live updates today show a historic surge in voter participation as New York City residents head to the polls in one of the most closely watched mayoral contests in decades. As of this evening, more than 1.75 million in-person votes have been cast, with absentee ballots continuing to arrive. Polling stations across all five boroughs will remain open until 9 p.m. ET, marking what analysts describe as one of the most energized election days in the city’s recent history.
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Major Contenders and Current Polling Snapshot
This year’s mayoral race features three major candidates:
- Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old Democratic Assembly member and progressive advocate, running on a platform centered on affordable housing, climate resilience, and social equity.
- Andrew Cuomo, the former Governor of New York, now running as an independent after parting ways with the Democratic Party, seeking to position himself as a centrist and experienced alternative.
- Curtis Sliwa, Republican and founder of the Guardian Angels, promoting a tough-on-crime message aimed at public safety voters.
Recent polling before Election Day showed Mamdani leading with roughly 44 percent of voter support, followed by Cuomo at 33 percent, while Sliwa remained in the low teens. The race, however, has tightened considerably in recent days, with late undecided voters adding suspense to the outcome.
Turnout Milestone and Voter Behavior
The “NYC mayoral election polls live” story is as much about the turnout as it is about the candidates. The 2025 election is witnessing the city’s highest participation rate in decades. Early voting already surpassed 730,000 ballots, and combined turnout is on pace to exceed two million votes.
Voters across the city have identified cost-of-living pressures, housing affordability, and public safety as their top priorities. About half of all voters listed economic concerns as their deciding issue, while crime, immigration, and transit policy followed closely behind. The surge in turnout among younger voters and first-time participants suggests the appeal of Mamdani’s progressive message may be resonating with new demographics, while Cuomo’s campaign has found strength among older, moderate, and suburban voters.
Key Issues and Campaign Dynamics
This election has become a referendum on the city’s political direction. The NYC mayoral election polls live coverage underscores how voters are choosing between two very different visions for the future of New York.
- Mamdani’s Platform: Focused on free public transit, rent freezes, universal childcare, and investments in green infrastructure. His campaign has drawn significant enthusiasm from progressive and youth-led movements. If elected, he would become New York City’s first Muslim mayor and one of the youngest in its history.
- Cuomo’s Comeback Bid: Emphasizing managerial experience, Cuomo has promised fiscal stability and pragmatic leadership. His campaign has attracted union voters, longtime Democrats, and independents wary of progressive economic policies.
- Sliwa’s Challenge: Although polling lower, Sliwa’s tough-on-crime stance and populist tone have given him steady support among conservative voters in Staten Island, parts of Queens, and Brooklyn.
In the final weeks, the campaigns exchanged sharp contrasts: Mamdani’s rallies drew large, youthful crowds, while Cuomo’s campaign focused on television and radio ads highlighting his record of infrastructure and economic projects.
What to Watch as Polls Close
As Election Day progresses, several factors will determine who ultimately wins.
- Polls Close at 9 p.m. ET – Early returns from Manhattan and Queens are expected first, with Brooklyn and the Bronx results following later in the evening.
- Turnout Patterns – High turnout typically benefits candidates with stronger grassroots organizations, giving Mamdani’s campaign a potential edge.
- Vote Splitting – With three prominent candidates, no one is expected to achieve an outright majority. A winner could emerge with less than 50 percent of the total vote.
- Demographic Shifts – Young, first-time voters have turned out in record numbers, while older and suburban voters could boost Cuomo’s totals.
- Late-Night Count – Mail-in and absentee ballots may take days to finalize, meaning the full result might not be certified immediately.
Polls and Predictive Trends at a Glance
| Candidate | Party/Affiliation | Latest Polling Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Zohran Mamdani | Democrat | ~44 % |
| Andrew Cuomo | Independent | ~33 % |
| Curtis Sliwa | Republican | ~13 % |
While Mamdani holds a consistent polling lead, the momentum in the final days suggests Cuomo’s numbers are closing in key boroughs like Staten Island and Queens. The question remains whether Cuomo’s late surge and name recognition can offset Mamdani’s energized progressive base.
Election Night Outlook
As the NYC mayoral election polls live results continue to update, the race remains too close to call. New Yorkers are engaged in a rare, high-intensity local election that has captured national attention. The next mayor will face pressing issues — housing costs, economic inequality, climate adaptation, and crime reduction — that will define the city’s trajectory for years to come.
Regardless of who wins, this election underscores the renewed political energy in America’s largest city. From record participation to the sharp ideological contrasts between the candidates, this race marks a pivotal moment in New York’s political evolution.
Stay tuned — and share your thoughts on which candidate you believe will lead New York City into its next chapter.