The Race Is On: Early Voting Kicks Off in New York City
Early voting in New York City begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday, giving New Yorkers the opportunity to cast their ballots in the hotly contested mayoral race. The candidates include Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani, Republican Curtis Sliwa, and former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent.
But the mayoral race isn’t the only contest on the ballot. Voters will also be selecting a new City Comptroller and Public Advocate, as well as borough presidents, district attorneys, city council members, and justices. Here’s everything you need to know about casting your vote ahead of Election Day.
### What Are the Dates and Hours for Early Voting?
Early voting starts 10 days before Election Day, which is Tuesday, November 4. Registered voters can cast their ballots during the nine days of early voting at their designated polling places.
– **October 25 – October 27:** 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
– **October 28 – October 29:** 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
– **October 30:** 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
– **October 31:** 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
– **November 1 – November 2:** 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
### How to Find Your Polling Place
Voters can locate their closest polling site on the New York City Board of Elections website. Simply enter your address and zip code to be directed to your local polling location.
### Are Early Voting Polling Sites Different from Election Day Locations?
Sometimes. Many Election Day polling sites are housed in public schools, which are typically unavailable during early voting periods. To check whether your early voting site differs from your Election Day location, visit the city Board of Elections website where both options will be listed.
### When Is the Voter Registration Deadline?
The voter registration deadline is today! To confirm your registration status or register to vote, visit the appropriate online portal without delay.
### Do You Need Identification to Vote?
Voters are required to have a New York ID to cast their ballots; however, registered voters do not always need to show ID at the polling site unless they did not provide identification when they registered.
Acceptable forms of ID for those who must present them include:
– A current and valid photo ID, such as a driver’s license
– A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or another government document showing your name and address
First-time voters who have not provided ID by Election Day can still vote using an affidavit ballot, though they will not be able to use the polling site’s scanner.
### What Else Is on the Ballot?
Besides the mayoral election, New Yorkers will vote in several other important races:
– **City-wide offices:** Public Advocate and City Comptroller
– **Borough offices:** Borough Presidents and District Attorneys
– **Local offices:** City Council members and district judges
Additionally, there are six ballot proposals asking voters to weigh in on issues such as the housing crisis and scheduling of local elections.
You can view a sample version of your specific ballot online to familiarize yourself with what to expect.
### Is the Mayoral Election Still Using Ranked-Choice Voting?
No. Ranked-choice voting is only employed during primary and special elections. This general mayoral election will not use the ranked-choice voting method.
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Make sure to participate in early voting or prepare for Election Day — your vote matters!
https://nypost.com/2025/10/25/us-news/early-voting-for-nyc-mayoral-election-other-races-and-ballot-proposals-officially-begins-heres-what-to-know/