Early Voting Under Way in New York as Hochul and Blakeman Campaign Statewide

Early voting kicked off in New York on Saturday, October 25, with polls open Monday, October 26 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The most closely watched race is the gubernatorial contest between incumbent Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul — seeking her first full elected term — and Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman, the Nassau County Executive. Hochul is running alongside lieutenant governor candidate and former City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, while Blakeman's running mate is Madison County Sheriff Todd Hood. Mayor Zohran Mamdani was among the first to cast a ballot on Saturday. Recent polling shows Hochul leading Blakeman by as many as 14 percentage points. Both candidates have been actively campaigning statewide, with the economy and cost of living ranking as the top voter concerns. Election Day is November 3. Nearly 90,000 voters turned out during the first days of early voting in New York City alone.