Residents in cities across the country have now concluded a busy cycle of local elections, offering a window into voter priorities heading into next year’s midterms. While New York City’s three-way mayoral race drew national attention, outcomes elsewhere highlighted both a need for continuity and an appetite for change in how major metropolitan areas are approaching key issues.
In New York City, Democrat Zohran Mamdani secured a decisive win, reinforcing the city’s progressive lean while emphasizing growing debates over affordability and the city’s leadership moving forward. In Minneapolis, Jacob Frey held on through ranked choice voting in a close race that reflecting similar tensions between establishment and reform-minded Democrats. Seattle’s mayoral race remains close, mirroring Minneapolis in both tone and issue focus as ballots continue to be counted.
Elsewhere, results largely reflected expectations. Andre Dickens was re-elected in Atlanta with broad support. Vi Lyles won another term in Charlotte, continuing her leadership on housing and economic development. Michelle Wu in Boston ran unopposed and easily retained her seat. Justin Bibb was re-elected in Cleveland, and Mary Sheffield became Detroit’s first woman mayor, marking a milestone but not a surprise given her strong lead. Corey O’Connor took office in Pittsburgh after an earlier primary upset, and in Miami, voters will return on December 9 for a runoff between Eileen Higgins and Emilio González, potentially flipping the city’s leadership to a Democrat for the first time in years.
Although they received less national attention, local ballot measures carried major implications:
New York City, NY: Voters approved charter amendments that shift more land-use decision-making authority toward the mayor and city agencies, streamlining review for certain housing and infrastructure projects. The reforms include a new Expedited Land-Use Review Procedure (ELURP) intended to shorten approval timelines and an Affordable Housing Appeals Board to advance citywide housing goals.
Littleton, CO: Voters approved Question 3A, amending the city charter to restrict multifamily housing and preserve single-family zoning across most neighborhoods.
Cambridge, MA: Housing affordability and transportation safety dominated a high-turnout council race, following the city’s earlier vote to eliminate single-family zoning.
Santa Cruz, CA: Voters narrowly favored Measure C, creating a parcel and transfer tax to fund affordable housing, while the competing Measure B trailed significantly.
Seattle, WA: Voters supported Proposition 2 (Seattle Shield), restructuring the city’s business and occupation tax to raise rates for large corporations while lowering or eliminating them for most small businesses.
Eagle County, CO: Voters narrowly approved Issue 1A, doubling the lodging tax from 2% to 4% to support child care, public safety, and limited tourism promotion.
Santa Clara County, CA: Voters backed Measure A (57% yes in early returns), adding a 5/8-cent sales tax for five years to fund public health and safety, framed as a temporary response to state funding shortfalls.
Mecklenburg County, NC: Voters considered a 1-cent sales tax increase projected to generate nearly $19 billion over 30 years for road, rail, and bus infrastructure, reflecting one of the largest local transportation investments on the ballot this year.
Amid ongoing debates over affordability, infrastructure, and local authority, these results show that cities and counties remain central arenas for policy innovation. As national politics head into another election year, local results once again demonstrate how urban and county governments are setting the pace on the most pressing economic and social challenges, offering a preview of the policy conversations that will define the coming cycle.