Voters came out in huge numbers on Tuesday as Zohran Mamdani faced off against Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa on Tuesday — with New York recording its biggest turnout for a mayoral election since 1969. The Democratic nominee has maintained a strong advantage in polls and stands poised to become the first Muslim mayor of New York and its youngest leader in generations.
According to the New York Board of Elections, more than 2 million people have so far voted in the contentious race between democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani, former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. The polls have now closed with only those remaining in queues allowed to cast their ballots.
Exit polls predict Mamdani win
According to a Reuters report quoting Decision Desk HQ, Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani is projected to be the new mayor of the New York City. Data shared by NBC News also appears to indicate that Mamdani has so far secured nearly 50% of couted votes but warns that it is too early to call the race.
Mamdani vs Cuomo
The race has made Mamdani a national figure — drawing the ire of US President Donald Trump and other Republicans with his campaign. Numerous billionaires have also thrown their weight behind Cuomo in a bid to avoid a Mamdani victory. Trump has also threatened to take over the city if Mamdani wins, as well as arrest and deport the state assembly member, who was born in Uganda but is a U.S. citizen. The POTUS endorsed Cuomo on the eve of the election — insisting that Mamdani would bring “disaster” to the city and encouraging Sliwa backers to vote for the former governor instead.
Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani is projected to be the new mayor of the New York City, according to Decision Desk HQ, Reuters reported.