Unfortunately for the field consolidators, getting off the NYC ballot is now 'very difficult'
For all the pressure on Mayor Eric Adams to exit the mayoral race, he’s likely to be on the ballot no matter what happens. The same goes for Jim Walden, who recently ended his campaign, as well as any other candidate considering a departure from the race, or being pushed out.
At this point, a mere two months out from the general election, there are just a few ways that a candidate can get dropped from the November ballot: dying, getting convicted of certain crimes, moving out of the state by Election Day, or running for a judgeship. And after Sept. 11, the date the New York City Board of Elections certifies the ballot, candidates are locked in no matter what. Ballots are slated to be printed just a few days after certification and must be mailed by the 19th – 46 days before the Nov. 4 primary. That’s according to Vincent Ignizio, deputy executive director of the city Board of Elections, and several election lawyers. In short, the clock is ticking. Candidates who filed independent nominating petitions to appear on the ballot – like Adams, Walden and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo for the general election had until May 30 to decline their ballot line.
“It’s very difficult to get off of the ballot at this point,” said election lawyer Jerry Goldfeder. “The only way to do it is to prove by legitimate evidence that you intend to not live in New York City on Election Day which is an extremely difficult task.”
The logistics of how a candidate can drop out of the general election took on greater significance as rumors swirled that Adams may abandon his longshot reelection bid to take a position with the Trump administration. The mayor has repeatedly insisted that he’s staying in the race – even convening a dramatic press conference Friday solely to declare he’s not going anywhere. But pressure to consolidate the field of candidates so Cuomo has a better chance against Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani remains. With the mayor polling in a distant fourth behind Mamdani who leads, then Cuomo, then Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, Adams is getting the brunt of it.
https://www.cityandstateny.com/politics/2025/09/unfortunately-field-consolidators-getting-nyc-ballot-now-very-difficult/407967/?oref=csny-homepage-river