You’ve probably seen the headlines, but honestly, the vibe in New York right now is something else entirely. People aren’t just talking about a change in City Hall; they’re talking about a total earthquake in how the five boroughs actually function. We just came off an election cycle that felt more like a decade-long drama than a standard political race. If you’re looking for the 2025 election day nyc results, you’ve gotta understand that this wasn't just about picking a name. It was a massive rejection of the status quo and a weird, historic embrace of something brand new.
The big story is Zohran Mamdani.
He didn’t just win; he shattered records. At 34, he’s basically the youngest person to run the city since the 1890s. Plus, he’s the first Muslim and first South Asian mayor the city has ever had. He pulled in over 1.1 million votes—the first time a candidate has hit that milestone since 1969. To put that in perspective, New York usually has notoriously bad turnout. People stay home. They get bored. But this time? More than two million New Yorkers actually showed up to the polls.
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The Numbers Behind the Election Day NYC Results
It wasn’t even a close race in the end, though it felt tense for a minute. Mamdani grabbed roughly 50.8% of the popular vote. He was running against former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who tried to stage this massive comeback as an independent on the "Fight and Deliver" line. Cuomo got about 41.3%. Honestly, it’s a lot for an independent, but it wasn't enough to stop the Mamdani wave.
Curtis Sliwa, the Republican staple with the red beret, ended up with around 7%.
What’s wild is how the boroughs split. Mamdani absolutely crushed it in Brooklyn and Queens. That’s his home turf. Cuomo, meanwhile, only really dominated in Staten Island. The city basically split along generational and ideological lines. You had young voters, especially those between 18 and 29, showing up at double the rate they did four years ago. That’s what carried Mamdani over the finish line.
Why the 2025 Mayoral Race Was Different
Most people get wrong that this was just a "progressive vs. moderate" fight. It was deeper. It was about Eric Adams leaving a vacuum. You remember the federal investigations and the dip in approval ratings? Adams eventually suspended his campaign in September, but since it was too late to scrub his name, he still sat there on the ballot. He got a tiny fraction of the vote—less than 1%—but his absence changed the entire gravity of the race.
Down-Ballot Surprises and the City Council
While everyone was staring at the Mayor’s race, the City Council was having its own moment. Most incumbents held onto their seats, but there was a definite shift toward the left in several districts. In Queens, Vickie Paladino managed to keep her seat for the Republicans with 57.8%, but over in District 30, Phil Wong eked out a win for the Democrats.
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The Council leadership also saw a major shift. Julie Menin became the first Jewish City Council Speaker, locking up her support early. This matters because the Speaker is basically the second most powerful person in the city. With Mamdani in the Mayor's office and Menin leading the Council, the "City of Yes" rezoning plans and affordability agendas are going to look a lot different than they did under the previous administration.
The Ballot Proposals You Probably Missed
People usually flip the ballot over and just check "Yes" on everything because the language is confusing. In 2024, New Yorkers passed five out of six proposals. Here’s the quick breakdown of what actually changed:
- Proposal 1: The Equal Rights Act. This was huge. It basically baked abortion rights and anti-discrimination protections into the State Constitution.
- Proposal 2: Gave the Sanitation Department more power. Think: more enforcement on street vendors and a more aggressive "war on rats."
- Proposals 3, 4, and 5: These were mostly about fiscal analysis and public safety notices before the Council votes on things. They passed, even though the City Council hated them.
Interestingly, Proposal 6, which was about MWBEs (Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises) and film permits, was the only one that really struggled with voters. People felt it was just more bureaucracy they didn't need.
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What This Means for Your Daily Life
If you’re living in NYC, these election day nyc results are going to hit your wallet and your commute pretty soon. Mamdani ran on a "relentless improvement" platform. We’re talking about free buses, rent freezes, and universal childcare. It sounds great, but it’s also going to mean tax increases for New Yorkers making over $1 million a year.
The city is at a crossroads. We have a mayor who is a democratic socialist and a City Council that is increasingly progressive, but we’re also dealing with a federal government that might not be as friendly to New York’s specific brand of politics.
Actionable Next Steps for New Yorkers
Don't just look at the results and walk away. Here is how you actually navigate the new landscape:
- Check Your Rent Status: With the new administration pushing for rent freezes, keep a close eye on the Rent Guidelines Board meetings this spring. They’re going to be rowdy.
- Watch the MTA: Free buses were a cornerstone of the campaign. Look for pilot programs starting in the outer boroughs first.
- Engage Locally: The City Council is where the real granular power is. Find out who your representative is and sign up for their newsletter. With the new Speaker, local district funding is shifting.
- Prepare for 2026: It sounds crazy, but the cycle never stops. New York is moving toward aligning local elections with presidential years to keep this high turnout going.
The era of Eric Adams is over, and the Mamdani years have begun. Whether you're excited or terrified, one thing is for sure: New York isn't going to be boring for the next four years. Keep your eyes on the budget briefings in February; that’s when we see if the campaign promises actually have the cash to back them up.