As election day approaches, tension is rising as students debate who should be the next mayor of New York City. This year the mayor election will be on Nov. 4, with the early voting from Oct. 25 to Nov. 2.

The mayoral candidates for New York are Zohran Mamdani for the Democratic party, Curtis Sliwa for the Republican party and Andrew Cuomo as an independent candidate. The current mayor, Eric Adams, withdrew from the race after trailing in the polls.

Latest polls show Mr. Mamdani in the lead with Mr. Cuomo being a distant second and Mr. Sliwa in last place.

The candidates have different visions for the city: Mr. Mamdani plans on implementing rent freezes, no cost childcare, fast and free buses and safer streets and subways. Mr. Sliwa wants to lower the cost of living, make communities safer and increase the quality of life. Mr. Cuomo wants to improve healthcare, ensuring that all New Yorkers have access to primary health care when needed. He also wants to strengthen the economy by expanding workforce training.

Miguel Modesty, a junior, believes that 18 years old is the best age to vote because you are now an adult and can make logical choices when voting. “I plan on voting when I’m old enough because I wouldn’t want to have a bad mayor,” he said.

The cleanliness of NYC is a rising issue, which some students worry about. “I’d like to see the mayor clean up New York more,” he said.

Samir Kouramola, a junior, thinks all the candidates have good goals with interesting backgrounds.

Daniela Padagas, a junior, said that she would vote for Mr. Mamdani because she doesn’t stand with Trump and Salman Chowdhury, a junior, says, “I feel that Zohran goes against corruption and will make New York diverse.”

David Arevalo, a junior, has high hopes for the next mayor.  “I want the mayor to be smart, honest and create good changes that benefit all the people, not just one class,’’ he said.