Want a quick overview of what’s in the report? See the Executive Summary

NYC Made History 

The year’s Voter Analysis Report offers a look at voter engagement and participation in one of the most consequential city elections in decades, and one that garnered attention across the country. 

The report tells the story behind these numbers, and what they mean for the future of democracy in New York City. Read the Report

Hitting New Highs Across the City

The 2025 elections marked a defining moment for New York City. More people registered, more people voted, and communities across the five boroughs participated in new and meaningful ways.

The main takeaway? NYC’s democracy is as strong as the people who make up this city.  

New York City put the 'high' in 2025's election highlights:  
  • 5.3 million registered voters (94.3% of eligible voters).

  • 260,000+ new voters, more than double 2021.

  • Youth turnout tripled compared to 2021 (see the chart below).

  • 2.2 million voters participated in the general election.

  • General election turnout reached 41.6%, the highest in over 50 years for a city. election. 

Comparison of Voter Turnout in NYC across age groups in the 2021 & 2025 Citywide General Elections 

The Power of Small Donors

The 2025 mayoral race demonstrated the strength of NYC's matching funds program.

  • The winning mayoral campaign was powered by 52k small donations. 
  • Public funds amplified grassroots support across the city.

Matching Funds Contributions vs Private Donations in the 2025 NYC Mayoral Race 

A New Era for Young New Yorkers 

Young voters are the future of this city. In 2025, they not only registered in record numbersthey showed up at the polls. 

  • Young voters made up nearly two-thirds of all new registrations.
  • Turnout among voters ages 18-29 tripled since 2021
  • In the primary election, young voters had the highest turnout of any group.

Primary Election Voter Turnout by Age and Voting Method 

A new generation of voters is redefining democracy at the polls and beyond. This shift signals long-term growth in civic participation and leadership.  

New Year, New Voters

Voter registration surged ahead of the election, reflecting an undeniable energy across the city.

  • 94.3% registration rate, up nearly 9 points from 2024 
  • 260,195 new voters, more than double 2021(the last citywide election) 

Number of newly registered voters by year (2017 to 2025)

 

Rank You Very Much, NYC! 

In 2025, ranked choice voting continued to empower New Yorkers to do what New Yorkers do best: make their choices known and their voices heard loud and clear! 

  • 79% of voters ranked more than one candidate. 
  • Ballot errors declined, showing increased familiarity with this voting system. 
  • More voters used all five rankings than in previous elections. 

Voters are not only participating but also engaging more strategically.  

 

Momentum Across Boroughs 

Across the city, borough data shows growing engagement, with historically underrepresented communities driving meaningful gains in voter participation. 

  • In 2025, CFB priority community districts, neighborhoods that have historically faced barriers to electoral participation, recorded increased turnout in the primary election, and all of them had increased turnout in the general election, compared to the 2021 city election. 

Primary Election Voter turnout by Community District

The impact on vulnerable communities reflects the importance of community engagement and accessible voter education.  

What's Next for NYC Elections 

The report outlines clear next steps for future elections and voter engagement by recommending that New York’s leaders: 

  • Align voter registration, registration updates, and party enrollment deadlines  
    • New York State should move the party enrollment deadline and the deadline to update name or address to align with the voter registration deadline. Currently, voters must change party affiliation more than four months before a primary, creating confusion and missed opportunities to participate.  
  • Strengthen Campaign Finance Board governance  
    • The CFB should integrate the Voter Assistance Advisory Committee (VAAC) into an expanded Board, increase Board membership from five to seven, and update compensation. Together, these reforms would ensure more effective oversight of both campaign finance and voter participation efforts. 

Read More

The full 2025 Voter Analysis Report provides detailed insights across boroughs, age groups, and voting methods. It offers a deeper understanding of how and why New Yorkers participated in this historic election.

External Link

Read the Full Report

Past Reports

2024

The 2024 Voter Analysis Report calls for making elections more inclusive in NYC by better engaging young and unaffiliated voters, reducing election overload, and modernizing voter registration.

Read the 2024 Report

2023

2023 was an off-year election in New York City. There were no citywide races and few competitive City Council races on the ballot, with Ranked Choice Voting used in primary elections. 

Read the 2023 Report 

2022

With a complex redistricting process, a split primary, a series of special elections, and four ballot proposals, 2022 was an unconventional year for New York City elections. 

 Read the 2022 Report 

2021

The 2021 election cycle was a record-breaking year for New York City’s Campaign Finance Program. 

Read the 2021 Report 

2020

The 2020 election year was dominated by media coverage of the presidential race and mitigating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read the 2020 Report