The following is a rushed transcript and may contain errors. A proofread version will be made available as soon as possible.

Taya Graham:

This is Taya Graham and Stephen Janis in Harlem, New York. It’s just 24 hours before the final vote for the New York Mayor’s race. So we came to this bustling neighborhood to ask voters what issues were important to them, what they thought of the front runner, Zohran Mamdani, what they thought of his opponent, former governor Andrew Cuomo, and what they wanted the mayor to do for them. But let’s take a listen to the voters themselves. Mamdani is the front runner against former Governor Cuomo. Which one do you hope becomes Mayor of New York?

James B Cray:

Mayor Mamdani.

Taya Graham:

Wow. And now why do you choose Mamdani?

James B Cray:

Well, Mamdani speaking about a lot of things that really address the people such as housing, the transportation issues. I think he’s more at the forefront of what a lot of young people want to hear about. We’ve had FOMO and Bloombergs and the cycle just keeps on going on without a lot of our issues being addressed.

Taya Graham:

What do you think about the leading candidates?

“Vincent”:

It’s time for a change and time for new blood.

Taya Graham:

Wow. I’m impressed to hear that. Now when you say it’s time for a change, time for new blood, I assume you’re referring to someone Mamdani. Yes. People that care about people, it’s important.

“Vincent”:

So what are some of the things that you like that Mamdani represents? That he wants to do things for people that are working class and that are trying to get by and make a living and put food on the table and get to work.

Taya Graham:

Now I have to say I watch C-N-N-M-S-N-B-C other channels, and it seems like there’s been a little bit of a narrative that there’s no way someone who has socialists next to them could possibly be an effective leader. What do you think of some of that mainstream media hype?

“Vincent”:

It’s interesting because our democracy used to be about helping people and supporting the working people. And we’ve gone away from that. It’s all about corporations and giving tax breaks to the wealthy thinking this is time that we need to let somebody that represents working class people a chance at the table think

“Richard”:

Or Mamdani’s going to win. Well, because he’s young, first of all, and he’s a new face. You understand what I’m saying? And a lot of people can’t like him. So this is my opinion why I feel as though that he’s going to win. Now, governor Cuomo and the other guy, they see what they can do already. A lot of people say, Cuomo messed up this and that and that and this. There’s no negativity about Mamdani that I really know of.

“Kimberly”:

This is how I see it at this point. Who’s ever the best for the job? Because a lot of times there’s been a lot of mayors that we thought was the best for the job. We wind up getting a short end of the stick, so time will tell.

Taya Graham:

That’s, let me ask you, what do you think are some of the most important issues? If you could talk to the next mayor, what would you want them to focus on? Housing, food, the subway. And former Governor Cuomo. You’re not inspired by those choices?

Pastor Dave:

Not really. Not in particular. We had a lot of issues with Cuomo in the last couple years when he left office. And then with Mamdani, now he’s coming with a certain agenda that is not too American or Patriot. And so it’s another just social program, socialist program, and we’re not really interested in that. We, one thing that would really empower people to not have them more dependable on government and its system. So we’re not really, I’m not too big of a fan of him because of that.

Taya Graham:

Just help me understand a little bit. You told me you went out and voted today. What was your primary earlier? I voted earlier. So

Speaker 7:

What was your motivator when you went out? I had to do my duty and vote and I will always vote and I knew I didn’t want two of the choices. I knew who I was voting for and hopefully Momani will be

Taya Graham:

The new mayor. Let me ask this. What was it that inspired you about you choose him over the other candidate?

Speaker 7:

He’s just something different. I’m worried about the experience and hopefully that he’ll have enough help and whatever, but I mean, we just need something new.