Overview

• Zohran Mamdani declared victory after the first-round tally showed him leading the Democratic field and prompted Andrew Cuomo to concede
• New York City voters can rank up to five candidates, with last-place contenders eliminated and their supporters’ next choices redistributed until someone gains a majority
• The city will incorporate mail and affidavit ballots into elimination rounds starting July 1 before officially certifying the Democratic nominee on July 15
• Campaign teams have forged cross-endorsements and urged supporters to designate allies as second or third choices to broaden their appeal
• Advocates say ranked-choice voting fosters positive, consensus-driven campaigns, while critics warn that its complexity and computerized tabulations may undermine transparency