BREAKING NEWS: Voting has officially opened in New York City as Shahana Mamdani seeks to become the first Muslim mayor in the city’s history. Turnout is expected to be significant, with over 735,000 early votes already cast during a nine-day period of in-person early voting, marking a staggering fourfold increase compared to the 2021 election.
Mamdani, a 34-year-old assembly member identifying as a democratic socialist, has maintained a lead in opinion polls for months. In a notable campaign moment, he defeated former governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary by nearly 13 percentage points in June. Cuomo, now running as an independent, is joined by veteran Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa in this highly competitive race.
As the polls remain open until 9 PM ET, all eyes are on the results expected shortly thereafter. This election comes on the heels of outgoing mayor Eric Adams withdrawing from the race in September, although his name will still appear on the ballot.
Mamdani’s campaign has focused on impactful policies aimed at making the city more affordable. His proposals include raising corporate taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers, freezing stabilized rent rates, and increasing the availability of subsidized housing.
Adding to the intensity of the race, former President Donald Trump has publicly endorsed Cuomo, stating that a Mamdani victory would complicate federal funding for New York. In a recent social media post, Trump claimed it would be “highly unlikely” he would provide substantial federal funds if Mamdani wins, urging voters to support Cuomo instead. “You must vote for him and hope he does a fantastic job,” Trump emphasized.
Compounding the stakes, a report by the Center for the Study of Organized Hate revealed that Islamophobic and xenophobic sentiments regarding Mamdani have surged on social media platform X, reaching an alarming 1.5 billion views through over 35,522 original posts from nearly 17,752 unique accounts since his primary win.
As New Yorkers head to the polls today, the implications of this election are profound, not only for Mamdani but for the city’s future. Voter turnout continues to be a focal point, and the results will be closely watched, potentially reshaping the political landscape in New York.
Stay tuned for updates as results begin to unfold later this evening.
