Early voting is underway in New York City’s mayoral primary, with Election Day on June 24. Democrats will choose the party’s mayoral nominee from among 11 hopefuls, with irascible former governor Andrew Cuomo and youthful democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani seen as the leading contenders — although Brad Lander, the city comptroller, made his own headlines last week after being detained by ICE. (Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, although his federal indictments have been dropped, is now running as an independent.) This election, even more than usual, has become the focus of national interest . And for just the second time, NYC voters will cast their ballot for mayor with ranked choice voting.
That’s a good thing: Without RCV, a field this crowded could result in a winner who receives as little as 12 percent of the vote.
