The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for June 24, 2025
Tuesday, June 24th is the New York City primary, with 11 Democrats vying to become their party’s nominee for mayor. The election also features two major democracy reforms: Ranked choice voting and public financing of elections.
Five independents, two third party candidates and one Republican are also running for mayor, but are not on Tuesday’s ballot. Nine candidates have qualified for public matching campaign funds, distributed by the New York City Campaign Finance Board. Candidates for mayor must raise $250,000 dollars from 1,000 contributors to qualify for a nine to one match, and follow disclosure and other rules. Mayor Eric Adams was denied matching funds due in part to federal corruption allegations.
Voters will choose among the 11 Democratic candidates using ranked choice voting. One poll shows former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo with the highest number of 1st choice votes at 36%, followed by New York Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani at 34%, and New York City Comptroller Brad Lander at 13%. Mamdani and Lander endorsed each other, and as the ranked choice system eliminates the lowest choices, one simulation shows that Landers’ second choice votes could go to Mamdani, edging out Cuomo to get to a 50%+1 majority.
Polls are open from 6 am to 9 pm. We have more on the city’s election, campaign finance matching, and ranked choice voting at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Ballotpedia – Mayoral election in New York, New York (2025)
City & State New York – Here’s who’s running for New York City mayor in 2025
WPIX – Mamdani ahead of Cuomo in ranked choice voting: NYC mayoral poll
NYC Campaign Finance Board – How It Works
NYC Campaign Finance Board – NYC Campaign Finance Board Approves Pre-Primary Matching Funds Payments to 2025 Candidates
NYC Campaign Finance Board – Limits & Thresholds 2025 Citywide Elections
Board of Elections for the City of NY – Times & Places to Vote, Sample Ballots
Board of Election for the City of NY – Ranked Choice Voting for NYC Local Elections
Groups Taking Action:
Rank the Vote NYC, NYC Votes, Common Cause NY, League of Women Voters NY,
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
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