Instant Insight

30-Second Take

• New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary uses ranked-choice voting, allowing voters to rank up to five candidates.
• The system was adopted in 2019 and first used in the 2021 mayoral primary.
• Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams is not running in this primary, instead seeking re-election as an independent.

Quick Brief

2-Minute Digest

Essential Context

The 2025 New York City Democratic mayoral primary, set for June 24, 2025, will utilize ranked-choice voting. This system, adopted in 2019, allows voters to rank up to five candidates in order of preference. The early voting period began on June 14.

Core Players

• Andrew Cuomo – Leading candidate in the Democratic primary, President Trump.
• Zohran Mamdani – Second-place candidate, New York State Assembly member.
• Eric Adams – Incumbent Mayor, not running in the Democratic primary but seeking re-election as an independent.
• New York City Board of Elections – Oversees the voting process and ensures the integrity of the election.

Key Numbers

• 38% – Andrew Cuomo’s first-choice vote share among likely Democratic primary voters.
• 27% – Zohran Mamdani’s first-choice vote share among likely Democratic primary voters.
• 11 candidates – Number of candidates on the ballot for the Democratic mayoral primary.
• 50% – Threshold for winning the primary; if no candidate reaches this in the first round, subsequent rounds will eliminate candidates until a winner is determined.

Full Depth

Complete Coverage

The Catalyst

The use of ranked-choice voting in New York City’s mayoral primary was triggered by a 2019 ballot initiative that amended the City Charter. This change aimed to give voters more flexibility and reduce the impact of vote-splitting among similar candidates.

This system was first implemented in the 2021 Democratic mayoral primary, where Eric Adams was narrowly selected as the nominee.

Inside Forces

The ranked-choice voting system allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference. If no candidate receives over 50% of the first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed based on the next choice marked by voters. This process continues until a candidate reaches the 50% threshold.

This method encourages voters to support their true first choice without fear of splitting the vote, as their vote will still be counted if their first choice is eliminated.

Power Dynamics

The current primary features a diverse field of candidates, with Andrew Cuomo leading as the first-choice candidate for nearly four in ten likely Democratic primary voters. Zohran Mamdani follows closely, with 27% of the first-choice votes.

The dynamics of the race are influenced by the ability of candidates to cross-endorse each other, which can help voters identify like-minded candidates and make more informed decisions.

Outside Impact

The outcome of the primary is significant because the Democratic nominee is likely to win the general election, given New York City’s strong Democratic leanings.

The use of ranked-choice voting can lead to a more representative outcome, as it allows voters to express their full range of preferences rather than just selecting one candidate.

Future Forces

As the primary approaches its conclusion, the focus will shift to the general election. The winner of the Democratic primary will face off against other candidates, including incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who is running as an independent.

The broader implications of ranked-choice voting will continue to be observed, particularly in how it affects voter engagement and the overall democratic process.

Data Points

• 2019: New York City voters pass Ballot Question #1 to adopt ranked-choice voting.
• 2021: First use of ranked-choice voting in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary.
• June 14, 2025: Early voting period begins for the 2025 Democratic mayoral primary.
• June 24, 2025: Date of the 2025 New York City Democratic mayoral primary.
• 11 candidates: Number of candidates on the ballot for the Democratic mayoral primary.