Early voting in New York City’s elections has reached a record high.
According to unofficial figures from the New York City Board of Elections, a total of 735,317 people participated in the nine-day early voting period from October 25th to November 2nd. This figure is the highest turnout ever for early voting outside of a presidential election.
Political circles attribute the high early voting fervor to the fiercely contested New York City mayoral election. This represents a 5.5-fold increase compared to the 134,946 people cast in the previous New York City mayoral election in 2021. Brooklyn recorded the highest early voting turnout among New York City’s five boroughs, with 243,737 voters, a 6.7-fold (565.2%) increase from 28,913 four years ago. In Queens, 166,519 people participated in early voting, a 5.8-fold increase (475.9%) compared to 28,913 in 2021.
By major constituency, the 19th District (Bayside), a densely Korean American area, saw 15,471 early voters, a 3.3-fold (232.8%) increase from 4,650 four years ago. The 20th District (Flushing) saw a 2.6-fold (155.4%) increase from 1,961 four years ago to 5,008. The 23rd District (Oakland Gardens), where Linda Lee is running, saw 12,603 early voters, a 2.6-fold (164.0%) increase from 4,774 in 2021.
The 26th District (Woodside), where Korean American candidate Julie Won is running, saw 14,189 early voters, a 1.8-fold (81.0%) increase from 7,840 four years ago.