UPDATE: Over 735,000 ballots have been cast in New York City’s early voting for the upcoming mayoral election, setting a new record for a nonpresidential election. This marks a significant surge in participation, particularly among younger voters, just two days ahead of the crucial election on November 7, 2023.
On Sunday, the final day of early voting, around 151,000 early voters turned out, making it the busiest day since polling began, with a notable increase in voters under 35 years old. Data from the city’s Board of Elections reveals that the median age of early in-person voters has dropped to 50, demonstrating a growing engagement among younger demographics.
Initially, turnout among younger voters lagged, with only about 80,000 people under 35 voting from Sunday to Thursday. However, that number surged over the weekend, with more than 100,000 voters under 35 casting their ballots, including over 45,000 on Sunday alone. This spike in participation reflects a changing landscape in voter engagement, potentially impacting the outcome of this closely watched mayoral race.
In stark contrast to the 2021 mayoral election, which saw roughly 170,000 early votes cast, this year’s turnout is more than four times higher. The race features Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, who currently leads against rivals Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa. The previous election was characterized by a dominant win for Mayor Eric Adams, who secured over double the votes of his closest competitor, Sliwa.
While the early in-person turnout this year does not quite match the more than 1 million early votes cast during last year’s presidential election, the electorate is markedly younger this time around. Historically, early voters tend to skew older, making this trend particularly noteworthy.
Comparing this election cycle to the 2022 midterms, where approximately 433,000 early votes were cast, highlights the increased interest in this year’s mayoral race. During the midterms, the majority of early voters were over 55 years old, contrasting sharply with the current surge of younger voters.
As New Yorkers prepare for Tuesday’s election, all eyes will be on turnout numbers and the potential impact of this new wave of youthful engagement. The implications of this early voting trend could redefine expectations for the mayoral race, making it a pivotal moment for candidates as they gear up for the final push.
Stay tuned for further updates as we approach the election. This is a developing story with significant implications for New York City’s future leadership.