Early Voting Opens Saturday for New York's Governor's Race

New York State enters its early-voting period on Saturday, October 24, with nine days of voting available before Election Day on November 3, 2026. The gubernatorial contest pits Democratic incumbent Governor Kathy Hochul against Republican Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. A Quinnipiac University poll shows Hochul leading by 14 percentage points; Blakeman disputes the findings, arguing Republican voters are being undercounted. On Friday, Hochul and NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani made their first joint campaign appearance in Brooklyn, focusing on childcare and affordability, including the recently expanded 2-K free pre-K programme. Blakeman has sought to tie Hochul to Mamdani, calling the partnership a gift to his campaign. Early voting sites are open across all 62 counties. Hochul plans to cast her own ballot in Buffalo during the early-voting window.