Early voting in New York City’s 2025 elections exceeds 2021 turnout by over 100%.

Turnout for New York City’s local elections in 2025 has shown a remarkable increase, with over 66,000 residents having participated in early voting during the first two days of this weekend. This turnout reflects an impressive surge, more than doubling the figures from the early voting period in the 2021 municipal elections.

According to the unofficial data released by the city Board of Elections, a total of 66,361 ballots were cast on Saturday and Sunday, contrasting sharply with the 32,032 ballots cast during the first two days of early voting in 2021. This increase is significant given the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in previous electoral cycles.

Political consultant Jerry Skurnik, who has extensive experience in analyzing voter turnout, offered insights into the implications of this uptick. He advised caution in interpreting the current surge in voter participation, particularly regarding which candidates might gain an advantage from it. Skurnik highlighted that several variables could be influencing the higher turnout, including lingering voter apprehension during the pandemic in 2021 that led many to opt for absentee ballots.

Early voting will remain ongoing every day until June 23, with primary day scheduled for June 24. The Democratic mayoral primary is poised to be the focal point of the upcoming election, with former Governor Andrew Cuomo currently polling as the frontrunner.

Throughout the weekend, Cuomo and other candidates actively engaged in voter mobilization efforts across the five boroughs. Among them, Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist who consistently ranks as a second-place candidate in polls, organized a significant rally at Terminal 5 in Manhattan, attracting over 2,500 supporters. Notably, the rally featured endorsements from prominent figures, including Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who expressed strong support for Mamdani and criticized the idea of Cuomo returning to power.

Cuomo himself, who stepped down from the governorship in 2021 amid allegations of sexual misconduct and mismanagement of the pandemic—claims he has denied—planned to hold a mobilization event in Midtown Manhattan. This rally would feature members of the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, a powerful union that has endorsed Cuomo and is initiating independent efforts to increase turnout for his campaign.

As the election draws nearer, the dynamics of voter participation and candidate support will continue to evolve, potentially reshaping the future landscape of New York City governance.