NYC Democrats Use Ranked-Choice Voting for June Primary

New York City voters will use ranked-choice voting (RCV) in the upcoming June 24 Democratic primary for mayor, allowing them to rank up to five candidates in order of preference. This voting system, first approved by NYC voters in a 2019 referendum and implemented in the 2021 mayoral election, aims to reduce wasted votes and ensure that the winner has broad support by redistributing votes from eliminated candidates through multiple rounds until one candidate surpasses 50%. Advocates argue RCV empowers voters to have more influence over election outcomes and supports candidates who better represent a majority preference, while critics note it is not a guaranteed solution to issues like low turnout or polarization. This year’s crowded field includes 11 candidates, such as former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, who along with Comptroller Brad Lander have engaged in strategic endorsements to improve their chances under the system. Voters are encouraged to understand the RCV process to ensure their ballots reflect their true preferences and are counted correctly. While RCV has been adopted in multiple U.S. cities and states, including Maine and Alaska, its effectiveness and complexity continue to prompt debate among election experts and voters.