Explore the latest Voter Analysis Report, offering insights into NYC's 2024 elections.
Uncover voter trends, ballot outcomes, and policy recommendations. Dive into interactive maps and an executive summary for comprehensive understanding. Read the full report for detailed analysis and insights.
How New Yorkers voted in 2024 and what it tells us about the future of elections
In 2024, New Yorkers voted in a presidential primary, state and congressional primaries, two special elections, and a general election. These local contests played out in the shadow of a national presidential campaign but offered real opportunities to shape government closer to home.
While New York City maintains high voter registration — nearly 4.7 million active voters — the overall turnout tells a more complex story. Primary participation remained low, especially among young voters, while the use of early voting continued to grow. Protest voting in the form of blank ballots, inconsistent turnout across boroughs, and barriers for unaffiliated voters all point to deeper systemic challenges. This report outlines the key trends and offers actionable steps to make elections in New York City more inclusive, accessible, and representative.
By the Numbers
- 85.5% of eligible New Yorkers are registered to vote
- 2.8 million voters, or 60.2% of registered voters participated in the presidential election in 2024
- Only 6.6% of voters turned out for the April primary, 10.1% in the June primary, and 60.2% in the General Election
- 38.4% of general election voters used early in-person voting
- 14.8% of Democratic primary ballots were submitted blank
- Unaffiliated voters make up 21.1% of registered voters in NYC but were left out of NYC’s closed primaries
Turnout, Voting Methods, and Ballot Use in 2024
Key Findings
- Turnout in the general election (60.2%) was far higher than in the April (6.6%) and June (10.1%) primaries.
- Primary voters skewed older than the general electorate.
- Early voting continued to grow: 38.4% voted early in person and 6.2% by mail in the general election.
- Protest ballots were notably high with 14.8% of Democratic presidential primary voters submitting blank ballots.
- Manhattan had the highest turnout across all three elections; The Bronx had the lowest voter turnout in the April primary and the November general, while Queens experienced the lowest turnout in the June primary.
Explore Turnout Across NYC
Turnout in the 2024 elections was lower than in previous presidential years, with just 6.6% of voters participating in the April primary (as there was basically no one to vote for since the race was over), 10.1% in June, and 60.2% in November. While the general election saw a higher youth turnout than in the primary, voters in the primaries skewed older than the average registered voter. Voting patterns varied by geography. Manhattan had the highest voter turnout in all three major elections. The Bronx had the lowest voter turnout in the April primary and the November general, while Queens experienced the lowest turnout in the June primary.
A notable increase in unrecorded ballots occurred in the Democratic presidential primary, with 14.8% of ballots unrecorded. This surge was linked to protests over President Biden's handling of the Gaza conflict, marking a sharp rise compared to 1.1% of unrecorded Democratic presidential primary ballots in 2016 and 4.2% in 2020. Geographic patterns revealed regional variation in the usage of unrecorded ballots.
Percentage of unrecorded ballots by election district, Democratic primary elections 2016, 2020, 2024
Turnout in the April Primary
Turnout in the June Primary
Turnout in the November General Election
Young and unaffiliated voters are engaging but still left out
- Over 50% of newly registered NYC voters in 2024 were under 30, yet just 3.7% of them voted in April, and 5.0% in June.
- In November, 57.1% of voters under 30 turned out — still lagging behind older age groups.
- Only 5.2% of eligible 16- and 17-year-olds pre-registered to vote, a missed opportunity for early engagement.
- One in five NYC voters (21.1%) is unaffiliated with a political party and barred from voting in primaries.
- Nearly half of unaffiliated voters are under 40, meaning younger voices are disproportionately excluded.
Voter turnout among those under 30 remained low in 2024, with only 3.7% voting in April, 5.0% in June, and 57.1% in November. Barriers to youth participation include New York's closed primary system, which excludes unaffiliated voters, limited civic education, and minimal pre-registration. Research from our Youth Ambassadors highlighted these issues and called for better engagement and outreach to young voters.
Percentage of unaffiliated voters by election district, 2024
The Campaign Finance Board recommends two key reforms to support greater participation, improve election integrity, and address barriers facing NYC voters.
Recommendation 1: Join the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC)
New York State should join the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC), a multi-state organization that improves voter roll accuracy and security. New York’s current decentralized system of managing voter rolls is prone to inefficiency and errors. Joining ERIC could enhance the state’s voter list accuracy and overall election integrity.
Recommendation 2: Align Election Dates to Reduce Voter Fatigue
To reduce voter fatigue and improve turnout, New York should consolidate election dates, aligning odd-year municipal elections with even-year federal and state elections whenever possible. Voter fatigue is exacerbated by frequent, overlapping elections, especially when special elections are held close to regular elections. Aligning election dates could decrease voter fatigue and lead to a more representative electorate.