Confusion, Clarity and Conviction: our communal responsibility this election.
“I am confused.”
As the New York City primary elections draw near, I have heard this simple three-word phrase again and again – from people on social media, from peers, and importantly, my Jewish community.
There is confusion about why to bother voting for city officials, why this election matters so much to the Jewish community, and how to navigate ranked-choice voting.
This rising sentiment of confusion, especially in the Jewish community, is something that deeply upsets me. I am not upset at individuals who find comprehending the election challenging. Elections are like layered cakes—you must dig in to understand their meaning. My frustration stems from a place of belief in both the responsibility that Jewish groups, leaders, and individuals have, and a belief in our ability to be engaged, understanding, and educated participants in our society, to which we have contributed greatly.
In 2021, I organized forums for elections with ranked-choice voting and have previously done a report featuring ranked-choice voting. I am not an expert, but I do have some prerequisite knowledge and experience relevant to this topic.
New York City-registered Democrats can vote in the democratic primary, and NYC-registered republicans can vote in the republican primary. Election day is June 24th, with early voting until the 22nd, and you can find your poll site here.
As for ranked-choice voting, when opting to put aside the mere fact that it looks and sounds different from the way of voting we are used to, it is quite easy to understand and a fantastic tool to utilize. There is a comprehensive and user-friendly explanation on the BOE website, and all that is required of you is to rank up to 5 candidates on your ballot in order of preference.
I’ve seen many misleading or factually incorrect claims from individuals and groups within the Jewish community, like “ranking others hurts your top choice” or “they’re giving votes to someone else once they get eliminated.” These are profoundly unhelpful. Your second, third, and later choices, which I urge everyone to take advantage of the opportunity to rank (and not rank) candidates on their ballots, only matter if your higher-ranked candidates are eliminated. Ranking more candidates can’t hurt your top pick—it only ensures your voice counts longer. And no candidate can “give” votes to another; only you decide by how you rank.
Ranked choice voting gives us a rare, deeply Jewish gift: the ability to express our full range of preferences, not just settle for a single, imperfect option. It lets us support candidates we believe in, even if they’re long shots, while still ranking others we find acceptable, or better than the alternatives. As Jews, we often say, “You can’t dance at two simchas.” But here, you can, or at least come close. Use ranked choice voting to make your voice heard and your values clear.
I’m a Red Sox fan (and if that’s a dealbreaker, feel free to stop here). If someone asked me to root for the Mets, I’d decline—but if the Red Sox were out, I might be open to it. I could never root for the Yankees, but I’d be fine backing other teams once my favorite’s gone. Voting works the same way: support your top choice proudly, but still rank the others you’d be okay with. It keeps your voice in play.
I often hear Jewish leaders and institutions state, “This is the most important election of our lifetime.” While I deeply believe in the power of elections and our responsibility to vote, I find this kind of rhetoric unhelpful. The last election was critically important, and the next one will be too. We live in challenging, pivotal times, making the process of choosing leaders who can navigate them with and for us essential, both as Jews and as members of a broader society.
Trust me—as many of my friends can attest—I’m no stranger to hyperbole or drama. But framing voting as a once-in-a-lifetime act makes it seem like civic engagement is something we just “pop up” for, like a meerkat. In reality, consistent participation is essential—both individually and collectively—especially when others try to define us, speak for us, or attack us for our beliefs. Our strength, pride, and voice in times of uncertainty are powerful tools we must not take for granted.
That being said, this election is most definitely an important time for the Jewish community to turn out and express our gratitude to the city we live in, where we flourish despite the obstacles. Our elected leaders play a crucial role in voicing their support and fostering a welcoming city for all of us, both in deed and in action. We cannot and must not use the low-hanging excuse of confusion to lead to a conclusion many of us will be unhappy with.

Everything I have said until now can reasonably apply to any voters, but Jewish voters must be honest about the predicament we are in, with a majority of polls showing the race is currently between Mamdani and Cuomo in the final round.
We are living in a moment of heightened fear, from rising antisemitism and violence across the country to war in the Middle East, where Israel faces ongoing threats. It’s no surprise that many Jews in New York are increasingly focused on whether our local leaders will stand up for us in times of adversity.
This doesn’t mean issues like housing, public safety, and transportation don’t matter—they absolutely do, and should be grappled with as well. But we cannot truly pursue the love of our neighbors like ourselves unless we feel protected and valued.
Zohran Mamdani has made deeply troubling statements and aligned with groups hostile to the Jewish community at a time when many Jews feel under siege. His defense of phrases like “globalize the intifada” drew rebuke from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. He supports BDS, a movement rooted in antisemitism, and refuses to recognize Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state. These positions are disqualifying for anyone seeking leadership in a city with the world’s largest Jewish population outside of Israel. There are aspects of his platform that are concerning for the future of NYC, but are not relevant for this piece.
It is also, unfortunately, true that former Governor Cuomo, the leading contender and opposition, is not without his blemishes and concerns. But we live in a world in which we must prioritize pragmatism over perfection. Cuomo is someone with expertise and experience in navigating difficult times and leading large governmental bodies. Ranking Cuomo is the best strategy for preventing a potential Mamdani primary.
As a way of preventing Mamdani from being mayor, you can lend a vote for strong candidates such as Scott Stringer, Whitney Tilson, Zellnor Myrie, and Adrienne Adams while still ranking Cuomo anywhere in your five slots.
It should also be noted that there are many other city elections taking place, which people should take the time to vote for as they also hold significant responsibility and leadership.
Confusion is an understandable response to uncertain times, and feeling overwhelmed is valid. But using that confusion as an excuse not to vote in a ranked-choice mayoral election—or in any of the other critical races on the ballot—is unacceptable. These elections will determine the leaders who shape our city, for better or worse, and we should use our voices accordingly.