The Brian Lehrer Show Primary Day Informal, Unofficial, Thoroughly Unscientific Exit Poll Take Two
Jun 24, 2025
Brigid Bergin, WNYC's senior political correspondent, dives into the lively world of primary day voting and its surprises. She shares fascinating insights on impressive early voting trends, particularly a jump in first-time Democratic primary voters from 3% to 25%. Listeners call in to discuss their last-minute decisions and the hurdles of ranked choice voting. The conversation also touches on the innovative strategies behind the Mamdani campaign, indicating potential shifts in voter engagement that could reshape future elections.
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Surge in First-Time Democratic Primary Voters
- Around 25% of early voters in this mayoral primary have never voted in a Democratic primary before.
- This is a significant increase from 3% in the 2021 early voting turnout, showing new voter engagement.
Canvassing Converts New Voters
- A canvassing story in Jamaica showed that new voters who hadn’t been contacted before were persuaded to vote.
- This highlights a deliberate campaign effort to activate untapped voters for Mamdani.
Business Concerns Over Mamdani
- Scott called in as a late decider, liking Cuomo but worried Mamdani scares the business community.
- He fears Mamdani's policies could drive businesses away due to tax hikes and spending.