New York City is seeing one of its most electrifying mayoral elections in generations, with voter turnout skyrocketing to levels unseen in over half a century — a sign, experts say, of just how fiercely contested the race between socialist frontrunner Zohran Mamdani and former Governor Andrew Cuomo has become.

Pollsters now predict nearly 2 million New Yorkers will cast ballots by the close of polls Tuesday — a number not reached since the 1969 election of liberal Republican Mayor John Lindsay. Early voting alone shattered expectations, with more than 735,000 voters turning out by Sunday night, according to city election officials.

The unprecedented turnout could spell trouble for Mamdani. Analysts say the expanding electorate — particularly a late wave of moderates and independents — may tilt the scales toward Cuomo, who is running as an independent after breaking from the Democratic Party.

“As the turnout gets larger, it leans more moderate and brings in independents,” explained Stephen Graves of Gotham Polling. “That benefits Cuomo because the vast majority of Mamdani’s voters are Democrats. But Mamdani can absolutely win with just Democrats — it depends on how the Cuomo and Sliwa votes split.”

Cuomo, who has branded himself as the last bulwark against “radical socialism,” has consolidated support from establishment Democrats and crossover Republicans who view Mamdani’s platform — including his calls to defund the police, raise corporate taxes, and create city-run grocery stores — as a recipe for disaster.

Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels, has refused to drop out despite pressure from party leaders who fear he could siphon enough votes to hand Mamdani a narrow victory.

The unprecedented engagement reflects a population galvanized by anxiety over crime, housing, and the city’s direction. Between January and June alone, voter registration surged to nearly 17,000 new sign-ups per day, according to NYC Votes — an eightfold increase from the 2021 mayoral race.

“This one, being near 2 million, is huge,” said Graves. “It’s going to be between a congressional and a presidential election in terms of intensity.”

While Mamdani continues to lead in most polls, Cuomo’s surge in the final stretch — boosted by moderate Democrats and independents — has turned the race into a toss-up.

With millions heading to the polls, this election is shaping up as a referendum not just on crime and the economy — but on the soul of New York City itself.

A win for Mamdani would mark the first time a self-proclaimed socialist has captured City Hall in modern history. A Cuomo victory, meanwhile, would signal a sharp rebuke to the Democratic Party’s progressive wing.

Either way, the political future of the five boroughs now hangs on a turnout surge not seen in decades — and the outcome could redefine the city’s identity for years to come.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)