New York Early Voting Hits Record as Hochul and Blakeman Push Final Arguments

Record numbers of New York voters cast ballots during the early voting period, which concludes this Sunday. The surge in participation marks a high point for the 2026 election cycle compared to previous years. Candidates for governor used the final days of the campaign to make their last appeals to the public.

Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul campaigned in Brooklyn on Friday. She greeted supporters and took photos with them. Her message centered on opposing her opponent’s close ties to President Donald Trump. Hochul stated that voters are rising up to reject what she called Trump-style leadership. She noted that early voting totals show strong engagement compared to the 2025 and 2024 cycles.

Republican Bruce Blakeman, the current Nassau County executive, focused on economic issues. He signed a pledge promising not to raise taxes if he wins the governorship. Blakeman described New York as the highest tax state in the country. He claimed that utility bills in the state are 70% higher than the national average. He argued that the state is last in economic outlook and that businesses and residents are leaving.

Blakeman also attended a ceremony to swear in new Nassau Police recruits. The event served as county business but also allowed him to position himself as a public safety candidate. Hochul addressed the naming of the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge during an interview on the show "The Point." She said she has no intention of renaming the structure back to the Tappan Zee Bridge. She cited her history of working on Cuomo’s election campaigns as a reason to keep the current name.

The state holds elections for all members of the Senate and Assembly on Tuesday. Voters will also choose their representatives in Congress. Several congressional races are considered battlegrounds that could determine control of the House. Early voting remains open for two more days before Election Day.

Hochul and Blakeman both emphasized the importance of turnout in their final statements. Hochul said people are energized to vote in record numbers. Blakeman said the state is one of the least affordable places in the United States. The candidates will continue campaigning until the polls close on Tuesday.