New York’s Mayoral Primary Vote Count Voided After 135,000 Ballot Discrepancy

Signage is seen at an early voting location ahead of New York’s mayoral election in Harlem, New York, on June 18, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

The New York City Board of Elections said on June 29 that 135,000 test ballots were accidentally included in a preliminary tally of votes cast in the city’s mayoral primary election, leading to the count being voided and drawing the ire of candidates.

New York’s first attempt at ranked-choice voting (RCV) descended into confusion after the elections board abruptly removed updated vote totals from its website hours after posting them, citing a “discrepancy” in the numbers.