Early voting starts in NY mayoral race led by Trump critic Mamdani

• Early voting continues until November 2.
• Mamdani holds 47% support among voters.
• A prominent Democrat endorses Mamdani.

Early ballots for New York’s upcoming mayoral election are being cast starting Saturday, with an outsider Democratic hopeful leading the race to challenge the city’s political establishment and confront President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly targeted him.

The contest has taken unexpected turns, with state lawmaker Zohran Mamdani—who describes himself as a socialist—rising from obscurity to become the frontrunner after the current mayor withdrew from the race and a former Democratic favorite lost his primary bid.

The 34-year-old Mamdani’s campaign has gained momentum largely from enthusiastic support from young New Yorkers. His focus on the skyrocketing cost of living has also struck a chord; he’s promising to freeze rents for two million residents living in rent-stabilized apartments.

In a surprising development, the incumbent mayor, Eric Adams—embroiled in scandals—endorsed the second-place candidate, 67-year-old ex-state governor Andrew Cuomo, after previously criticizing him as a “snake and a liar.”

Voters are able to participate in early voting from Saturday through November 2. Election Day is set for November 4, with the winner expected to take office at the start of the new year.

According to the latest citywide poll conducted by Victory Insights on October 22-23, Mamdani leads with 47% support, trailing Cuomo by 18 points. Republican Curtis Sliwa, age 71, is polling at 16%.

Adams, involved in allegations of corruption linked to his time in office, withdrew from the race on September 28 but initially refrained from endorsing anyone.

“You can’t freeze rents if you’re lying about it,” Adams stated Thursday, alongside Cuomo. “We’re fighting against a con artist.”

He added, “Gentrifiers have driven up rents citywide… and Mamdani is the king of gentrifiers.”

It’s uncertain how Adams’s endorsement will influence the election outcome.

“While it’s possible, it’s extremely unlikely Cuomo can catch Mamdani,” said Columbia University political science professor Lincoln Mitchell, noting Cuomo’s “tough guy persona” belongs to another era.

Understanding the Cost-of-Living Crisis

The electoral race has largely focused on the affordability crisis and how candidates plan to address Donald Trump’s threats to withhold federal funding from the city—an area where Trump has attacked Mamdani for proposing free public transportation and childcare for an 8.5 million population.

Trump has called Mamdani a “communist.” Mamdani has indicated willingness to collaborate with Trump if it reduces living costs, while Sliwa prefers to negotiate with the president and Cuomo suggests confronting him directly.

“I’ve lived in New York nearly a decade, often hustling to get by,” said Lex Rountree, 27, a tenant organizer supporting Mamdani. “It’s strange to imagine how easing that pressure might look under his leadership.”

On Friday, Mamdani’s campaign received a boost when Hakeem Jeffries, a key Democratic leader in the U.S. House of Representatives, endorsed him.

Jeffries praised Mamdani for his focus on the affordable housing crisis and his commitment to govern inclusively, embracing all New Yorkers, regardless of political support.

On Sunday, Mamdani will join progressive Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at a “get out the vote” rally at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, raising his profile further.