Cast Your Ballot in the New York City Primary

Voters who head to the polls for the primaries on Tuesday, June 24, will help choose New York City’s next mayor and all 51 City Council members.

AARP New York is encouraging voters to learn where the candidates stand on key issues, such as housing affordability, transportation and in-home services for older adults.

Kevin Jones, AARP New York’s associate state director of advocacy, says the organization plans to hold a mayoral forum, as well as a similar event for the City Council candidates.

“We want to make sure that when the [municipal] candidates are talking about housing or transportation or health, that they’re not just talking in broad terms, but ... specifically about what they’re going to do to make the lives of the 50-plus better,” he says.

Jones notes that the council will play a big role in shaping the city’s budget, including funding for older adult centers and other services.

Housing is another big issue because construction of new units hasn’t kept pace with demand. Additionally, only 30 percent of the city’s subway stations have elevators or ramps, limiting access for people with mobility challenges, according to a New York University report.

“We think that New York City is one of the best places to age in place because, in many cases, you don’t need to drive,” says Jones. “You can have a very high quality of life here.”

Polls are open on June 24 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Early in-person voting runs from Saturday, June 14, to Sunday, June 22. To register to vote, visit vote.nyc/page/register-vote. Request an absentee ballot at requestballot.vote.nyc. Absentee ballots must be postmarked by June 24.

Learn more at vote.nyc/election/primary-election-2025 or aarp.org/votenyc.

—Michelle Cerulli McAdams