The New York City mayoral election has turned out to be unlike any typical election. Through the use of the ranked voting system and the views of the candidates, the election stands to reshape who and how Americans vote.
Progressive assembly member Zohran Mamdani shocked many by defeating well-established figures to become the next Democratic nominee. His campaign prioritized housing affordability and free public transit in contrast to New York’s usual expensive demand for urban infrastructure.
Mamdani is a Muslim candidate which has caused a lot of backlash due to the Islamophobia he is facing. “Islamophobia is being used as leverage against Mamdani as a way to attack his stance at making New York City better through his ideas of democratic socialism. Islamophobia is being used as the opponents do not have any actual political leverage,” said senior Aayan Grewal. Candidates should not be discounted due to their religious beliefs, especially when their office would represent diverse populations of people.
Despite all of the Islamophobia, Mamdani led in the polls. This highlights how the U.S. is putting less emphasis on race in politics. “If Mamdani wins, Islamophobia will probably decrease in New York City, but I do not believe Mamdani’s position is influential enough to cause a national shift in opinion,” said senior Ammar Bazaraa. Islamophobia post 9/11 is still a major issue that the U.S. faces, but this election sparks political change as it allows an Islamic U.S. citizen to be in a major position of power.
Evidence of citizens changing their voting methods is clear, showing how candidates are no longer holding a monopoly on the voting system. Voters are no longer just voting for the most famous person on the ballot; they are willing to risk trusting a newer candidate if they agree with the policies.
The election structure itself has changed a lot in recent years. Ranked‑choice voting has allowed newer candidates like Mamdani to shine. His campaign capitalized on the momentum he gained from ranked choice voting rather than traditionally relying on big-name endorsements.
As voters push for bold change through the use of ranked choice voting and the internet, traditional politicians such as Cuomo and Sliwa face the challenge of articulating relevance in this new environment. This unfamiliarity likely cost them many potential votes due to a lack of social media presence. Another issue candidate Andrew Cuomo faces is that he does not live in New York City which causes a disconnect between himself and his voters.
The results of this election could cause a ripple of change beyond New York City. Mamdani’s victory could enable progressives in other major cities to challenge the traditional political beliefs of their cities, especially as the 2026 midterms loom nearer. “I think the election will shift the policies of the American Democratic Party, as the largest left-leaning city in the United States voted out a politician who is aligned with the traditional Democrats’ views. If Mamdani succeeds in the office, politicians may lean away from American liberalism in exchange for true leftism,” said Bazaraa.
This “true leftism” is something that has always been an idea in American politics but has never fully been put into practice which is one reason why Mamdani’s win would have a major effect beyond New York City.
The 2025 New York City mayoral race holds significance because it can shift the future of American politics. Cities are becoming more willing to adopt new political ideals while competing against well-established political figures. New York and Mamdani prove that the citizens of the U.S. want change and they are not afraid to fight for it.
