NYC Primary Elections: Your Last Chance for Early Voting & How Ranked-Choice Voting Works

The Last Weekend to Vote Early in NYC’s Primary Elections — Here’s What You Need to Know About Ranked-Choice Voting

Hey New Yorkers! If you haven’t cast your ballot yet, heads up: this weekend is your last chance for early voting in the city’s primary elections before the big day on Tuesday. Whether you’re eyeing the next mayor, public advocate, comptroller, or other city officials, your vote matters — and there’s something pretty cool about how you get to choose this time around: ranked-choice voting.

You might be wondering, “What’s ranked-choice voting anyway?” Don’t worry — it’s not as complicated as it sounds, and once you get the hang of it, it actually gives you more say in who wins.

What Is Ranked-Choice Voting?

So here’s the gist: ranked-choice voting lets you pick not just your top favorite candidate but also your second, third, up to your fifth choice. That means instead of picking just one person, you get to rank your favorites in order. It’s like creating a mini playlist of candidates you support, from most to least.

This voting method officially debuted in New York City during the 2021 primary elections, following a 2019 ballot measure where New Yorkers decided they wanted to change the game for how city officials are elected. The goal? To give voters more power and encourage candidates to build bridges rather than just attack each other.

Why Ranked-Choice Voting Matters

Supporters of ranked-choice voting love it because it forces candidates to appeal to a broader base — they can’t just rely on their core supporters but have to reach out for second and third-choice votes from people who might back someone else first. It encourages more positive campaigning and helps ensure that the winner has broad support, not just a simple plurality.

That means your vote can still count even if your top pick doesn’t make it all the way. If your favorite candidate is knocked out during the counting process, your vote transfers to your next choice — so your voice stays in the game.

How Does Ranked-Choice Voting Work?

Let’s break down the process step by step:

1. Rank Your Top Five Candidates: When you vote, you’ll see a list of candidates for each city office. You can rank up to five, but you don’t have to pick all five if you don’t want. Just start with your top pick.

2. Initial Count: Once the polls close, officials count all the first-choice votes.

3. Is There a Majority Winner? If any candidate gets more than 50% of those first-choice votes, they win outright.

4. If No Majority, the Elimination Begins: If no one crosses that 50% threshold, the candidate with the fewest first-choice votes gets eliminated.

5. Redistributing Votes: The votes that went to that eliminated candidate then get reassigned to the voters’ next choices — their second-ranked candidate, if they picked one.

6. Repeat Until Two Remain: This process of elimination and redistribution continues, round by round, until only two candidates are left.

7. Final Decision: Whichever candidate has the most votes after the final round is declared the winner.

It’s like a survival of the fittest, except instead of just one round of voting, it’s a series of instant runoffs — all based on the rankings you chose.

Why You Should Practice Ranked-Choice Voting

If this all sounds a bit new or confusing, don’t sweat it. NYC Votes, the official election resource, has an easy-to-use tool that lets you practice ranking candidates before you actually vote. It’s a great way to get comfortable and make sure you understand how your choices flow from one candidate to another.

Think of it like a dry run — getting familiar with the process so you can confidently cast your ballot.

Exciting Impacts of Ranked-Choice Voting

• More Voter Power: Instead of feeling stuck choosing “the lesser of two evils,” you get to express your full preferences.

• Encourages Civility: Candidates tend to run nicer campaigns because they want to be the second or third choice of their opponents’ supporters.

• Minimizes “Spoiler” Effect: If you love a candidate who might be less popular, your vote still influences the outcome rather than getting wasted.

A Quick Example: How Your Vote Moves in Ranked-Choice Voting

Imagine you’re voting for mayor, and here are your five ranked choices:

• 1st choice: Candidate A

• 2nd choice: Candidate B

• 3rd choice: Candidate C

• 4th choice: Candidate D

• 5th choice: Candidate E

If Candidate A doesn’t get enough votes to stay in the race, your vote automatically goes to Candidate B, your second choice. If B is eliminated in the next round, your vote goes to Candidate C, and so on.

This way, your voice keeps influencing the race until someone wins.

When Is the Voting?

Early voting wraps up this weekend, so if you want to skip the lines on Tuesday, head to your nearest early voting site now. If you miss early voting, no worries — you can still vote on primary day, which is this Tuesday.

The Stakes Are High

New York City’s primary elections determine who will represent you in major offices, and because NYC is so politically diverse, these elections shape the city’s future. Plus, with ranked-choice voting, the results often better reflect the will of a majority rather than just a simple plurality.

This means your participation can help pick a leader who truly resonates with a wider range of New Yorkers.

Pro Tips for Voting Ranked-Choice

• Rank all five candidates if you can: This maximizes the chance your vote counts through every round.

• Don’t worry about strategic voting: Just rank your true favorites in order.

• Check NYC Votes: Use their website to see sample ballots and try out the ranking system.

• Stay informed: Read up on the candidates so you can confidently pick your preferences.

Final Thought: Your Vote Counts More Than Ever

Ranked-choice voting is a game changer for NYC politics — it encourages inclusivity, civility, and gives voters more control. Whether you’re a first-time voter or a seasoned pro, this is your chance to shape who leads the city.

Remember, early voting ends this weekend, so don’t miss your chance to make your voice heard. And if you’ve never tried ranked-choice voting before, now’s the perfect time to dive in and see how your ranked picks can make a difference.

If you want to try ranking your candidates right now, check out the official NYC Votes website and get ready for Tuesday — because this year, your vote is not just a choice, it’s a powerful ranked voice shaping the future of New York City.