NYC Early Voting Surges as Mayoral Race Intensifies

Early voting in New York City is surging well ahead of 2021 levels, with more than 160,000 voters casting ballots in the first days as Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa intensify campaigning ahead of the Nov. 4 mayoral election. Mamdani, the Democratic nominee, is centering his campaign on affordability with proposals including rent freezes for rent-stabilized units, free bus service, universal child care, an 11.5% corporate tax, a 2% levy on incomes over $1 million, and a proposed $1 billion Department of Community Safety to deploy mental-health outreach workers to subway stations. Cuomo, running as an independent, and Republican Sliwa have emphasized public safety, with Cuomo highlighting protections for the Jewish community and pledging to hire more police. Outside New York, a high-profile Boston District 7 contest between Said Ahmed and Miniard Culpepper has emerged after the resignation and conviction of former Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson; other local contests include four ward seats in Lenexa, Kan., and a five-candidate St. Paul mayoral field led by incumbent Melvin Carter and Rep. Kaohly Her, while regional outlets are live-tracking races such as the New Jersey governor’s contest as Election Day approaches.