Why Did Mamdani Pay $9 to Become NYC’s Mayor?

While winning the mayoral race in New York City requires a multi-million dollar campaign—Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s 2025 run cost over $16.3 million—officially assuming the office comes with a surprisingly modest price tag: a $9 fee paid to the city clerk.

After taking his oath of office in a private ceremony in a subway station under City Hall on January 1st, Mamdani completed the bureaucratic process by paying the small mandatory fee and signing the official city ledger.

This nominal charge, payable by credit card or money order, is a standard requirement for anyone elected or appointed to a city position, highlighting the stark contrast between the enormous financial investment of a political campaign and the minimal administrative cost to finalize the victory.

Mamdani noted he made sure to provide exact change for the symbolic transaction.