Polling places opened on Saturday for in-person voting in two of the year's most closely watched elections: the New York City mayor's race and the race to choose New Jersey's next governor. In New York, voters face a crowded mayoral contest with Democrat Zohran Mamdani, Republican Curtis Sliwa, and former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent. Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist, is gaining significant momentum, with support from high-profile figures like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Ian Reinfowitz, SUNY Distinguished Professor of History, was FRANCE 24's guest to analyse the upcoming election and Mamdani's chances of winning.