Photo by SWinxy via Wikimedia Commons
NEW YORK — In a landmark election that saw record turnout across New York City, Asian American voters emerged as a decisive force, revealing complex political leanings and issue-driven engagement. According to the 2025 Asian American Exit Poll conducted by the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF), nearly half of Asian American voters supported Zohran Mamdani in his historic mayoral victory, while over a third backed former Governor Andrew Cuomo—underscoring both the diversity and growing clout of this fast-expanding electorate.
The poll, conducted at 11 sites across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx, surveyed 1,268 Asian American voters in 10 languages, including Bengali, Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Tagalog, Urdu, and Vietnamese. The findings paint a nuanced portrait of a community that defies political monoliths and is increasingly shaping the city’s future.
Key Findings: Support for Mamdani, But Not Uniform
Nearly 50% of Asian American voters chose Mamdani, a South Asian Muslim candidate who ran on a progressive platform centered on affordability, public transit, and housing justice. Cuomo received support from over 35% of respondents, with the remainder split among other candidates or those who declined to answer.
South Asian voters were Mamdani’s strongest base, with an overwhelming 87% voting for him, compared to just 9.6% for Cuomo. This reflects Mamdani’s deep ties to immigrant communities and his campaign’s multilingual outreach, which included materials in Urdu, Bengali, and Hindi.
Interestingly, 20% of Asian American voters who had supported Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election voted for Mamdani, suggesting that his appeal transcended traditional partisan lines.
Issue-Driven Engagement
The poll revealed that Asian American voters were highly motivated by issues rather than party loyalty. Housing affordability, public safety, and education ranked among the top concerns. Mamdani’s platform, which included rent freezes and free bus service, resonated particularly with younger voters and recent immigrants.
Catherine Chen, CEO of the Asian American Federation, emphasized that “Asian American voters in New York City are not a monolith — they are discerning, issue-driven, and deeply engaged in shaping the city’s future.”
Generational and Geographic Splits
The poll also highlighted generational divides. Younger Asian Americans, especially those under 30, leaned heavily toward Mamdani, while older voters showed more support for Cuomo. In Asian-majority precincts, Mamdani led Cuomo by 18 points during the primary. Still, that margin narrowed to just 4 points in the general election, reflecting a surge in moderate and conservative Asian American turnout.
At Confucius Plaza in Manhattan’s Chinatown, where voter enthusiasm was palpable, longtime resident and district leader Justin Yu noted that turnout had already exceeded 300 voters by early afternoon. “I am not bringing my people to follow the party line,” Yu said. “I want the party to become what we want”.
Multilingual Access and Civic Inclusion
AALDEF’s exit poll was notable for its accessibility. The 23-question survey was offered in 10 Asian languages and included questions on age, ethnicity, education, English fluency, voting history, and attitudes toward immigration and ICE enforcement. This approach ensured that voters with limited English proficiency could fully participate and express their views.
The poll also captured the voices of first-time voters and recent arrivals to New York—groups that played a pivotal role in Mamdani’s victory. Many respondents said they felt newly empowered to vote thanks to community outreach and translated materials.
Broader Implications
The results of the AALDEF poll suggest that Asian Americans are no longer peripheral players in New York politics. With more than 2 million voters participating citywide—the highest in over 50 years—the Asian American vote is increasingly decisive, especially in tight races.
Mamdani’s victory, powered in part by Asian American support, signals a shift toward more inclusive and representative governance. His campaign’s success in mobilizing multilingual, multiethnic coalitions may serve as a blueprint for future candidates seeking to engage diverse urban electorates.
As New York City continues to evolve, the AALDEF poll offers a clear message: Asian American voters are here, engaged, and shaping the city’s political destiny—one ballot at a time.
