NYC Mayor Race Sees Historic Voter Turnout Not Seen Since 1969

A wave of civic energy sweeps New York as voter turnout hits 50-year highs. Could this election redefine the city’s political future?

, and Administrator

2025 November 10 . 11:15 AM

1 min read

Here we can see crowd and this is a road. There are flags, trees, umbrellas, boards, and buildings.... — Here we can see crowd and this is a road. There are flags, trees, umbrellas, boards, and buildings. In the background there is sky.

NYC Mayor Race Sees Historic Voter Turnout Not Seen Since 1969

New York City witnessed a remarkable surge in voter turnout for the 2023 mayoral election, with over 2 million voters casting their ballots before polls closed on Tuesday evening. This figure has not been seen since the 1969 election, when John Lindsay, initially a Republican and later an independent, received the most votes and was re-elected as mayor.

The 2023 turnout surpasses previous highs this century, including the 1.52 million votes cast in 2001 following the 9/11 attacks. Early voting also set records, with over 735,000 voters participating, indicating a significant shift in voter behaviour. In contrast, the 2021 mayoral race saw only 1.15 million voters, representing just 23% of active registered voters.

This year's election has drawn more voters than the 2021 race, in which Eric Adams secured a decisive victory, defeating Curtis Sliwa by nearly 40 points. If current trends continue, the 2023 election could draw more than 2 million voters, reminiscent of the high turnout seen in the 1960s. The city last saw such a turnout in 1969, when Lindsay was re-elected, and in the 1989 and 1993 elections, which also drew nearly 1.9 million voters.

The 2023 mayoral election in New York City has seen a remarkable increase in voter turnout, with over 2 million voters participating. This level of engagement has not been seen since the 1960s and signals a renewed interest in local politics. The results of the election, which will determine the city's next mayor, are eagerly awaited.