NEW YORK — The Democratic primary for New York City mayor—a high-stakes battle between scandal-tainted former Governor Andrew Cuomo and rising progressive star Zohran Mamdani—could take weeks to produce a definitive winner due to the city’s ranked-choice voting system. Here’s what voters need to know about the timeline:
Key Election Dates & Counting Process
- 🗳️ Election Day: June 24 (Polls open 6 AM – 9 PM ET)
- 📊 First Unofficial Results: Expected late Tuesday night (June 24)
- Includes Election Day, early voting, and initial mail ballots
- 🔄 Ranked-Choice Tallying Begins: If no candidate clears 50%
- 📅 Preliminary Elimination Rounds: Weekly updates starting July 1
- 🏆 Final Certification: Likely mid-to-late July
Why It’s Taking So Long
- Ranked-Choice Math
- Last-place candidates are eliminated sequentially
- Votes redistribute to next choices until someone hits 50%
- Ballot Types Still Being Counted
- Absentee/military ballots accepted until July 5
- Affidavit and emergency ballots require verification
The Race at a Glance
| Candidate | Key Details | Latest Poll (Emerson College) |
|---|---|---|
| Andrew Cuomo | Ex-governor seeking comeback post-scandal | Led early rounds but lost final simulation |
| Zohran Mamdani | Democratic socialist pushing radical reforms | Surged to overtake Cuomo in final RCV tally |
What Could Change the Outcome?
- Absentee Ballots: Could favor Cuomo’s older voter base
- Late Surge Turnout: Mamdani’s grassroots momentum
- Ranked Preferences: Moderate candidates’ voters may decide the ultimate winner
National Implications
This race—for what’s often called “the second toughest job in America”—has become a proxy war for the Democratic Party’s future:
- Cuomo represents the establishment wing (despite 2021 harassment scandal)
- Mamdani embodies the progressive movement (rent control, public transit, anti-corporate agenda)
What to Watch Next
- Tuesday Night: Early leads ≠ final outcome (2021 primary shifted dramatically in RCV rounds)
- July 1 Report: First elimination round data
- Mid-July: Final certified results
“This isn’t just about who runs NYC—it’s a litmus test for whether Democrats want rehabilitation or revolution,” said political analyst Jessica Taylor.