When Will NYC Mayoral Results Be Released? Timing and Process

New York City’s mayoral results start rolling out shortly after polls close at 9 p.m. ET on Election Day. The first numbers are unofficial and come from in-person votes and early tallies. Full results are certified only after canvass and mail ballot reviews finish.

Officials begin the official canvass the next morning and continue daily until it is complete. Some late-arriving, valid mail ballots and affidavit ballots are added during this period. That is why margins can shift after election night.

NYC Mayoral Results: What Releases When

Polls in New York open at 6 a.m. and close at 9 p.m. ET. Unofficial election-night results usually appear minutes after 9 p.m. on official dashboards and media trackers. These updates continue through the night as precincts report.

The New York City Board of Elections begins canvass work the morning after Election Day. For the 2025 general election, borough offices scheduled canvass from 10 a.m. daily, including weekends, until the process is complete. This canvass includes reviews of machine returns, early voting records, absentee and early-mail ballots, and affidavit ballots. Results remain unofficial until all eligible ballots are counted and the board certifies the totals.

Absentee and early-mail ballots that meet state rules are added during canvass. Affidavit ballots also undergo eligibility checks before counting. These steps protect accuracy and can change close margins.

Major news organizations may project a winner on election night if data are decisive. In tight races, projections may wait until larger batches of mail and affidavit ballots are processed. Government certification comes later, after canvass ends.

In short: expect the first look at “who’s ahead” soon after 9 p.m. ET. Expect movement over the next several days as more valid ballots are added. Certification follows once canvass concludes.

What This Means for Voters and Readers

If the race is lopsided, many outlets will call it late on election night. If it is close, patience is required while lawful ballots are reviewed and counted. Either way, the official canvass is the final word.

For those watching borough-by-borough shifts, remember that some precincts report later. Mail ballots can also lean differently than in-person votes. Late swings do not imply wrongdoing; they reflect standard counting procedures in New York.

Broader Context and Takeaways

New York City releases fast, but not final, snapshots on election night. The complete picture emerges during canvass as additional categories of ballots are verified. This process balances speed with accuracy.

Election administrators publish schedules and updates so the public knows when to expect changes. Media projections are informative, but only the Board of Elections certifies the result.

Bottom line: The NYC mayoral results begin after 9 p.m. ET on election night, but the official outcome is finalized after the canvass. If the margin is narrow, expect the key updates over the following days before certification. That is the normal process in New York.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: When will NYC mayoral results be released tonight?

First unofficial totals post soon after 9 p.m. ET. Updates continue through the night as precincts report.

Q2: When are final, certified results available?

Only after the post-election canvass. The board starts canvass the next morning and continues daily until completion.

Q3: Do mail ballots delay the final result?

They can, especially in close races. Valid mail and affidavit ballots are added during canvass after eligibility checks.

Q4: Why do margins change after election night?

Because additional lawful ballots are counted during canvass. Later-reporting precincts and mail ballots can shift totals.

Q5: What time do polls open and close in NYC?

Polls open at 6 a.m. ET and close at 9 p.m. ET on Election Day.