What to Watch in Tuesday’s Key Elections: Governors, NYC Mayor, Redistricting, and More
The first polls will close Tuesday night in Virginia, where the state will elect a new governor, one of several major races throughout the country.
WASHINGTON (TWP) — Voters in several states head to the polls Tuesday for a series of high-profile elections that could offer early clues about the political climate heading into next year’s midterms. Gubernatorial contests in Virginia and New Jersey, New York City’s mayoral race, California’s redistricting referendum, and several state ballot measures will test voter sentiment in both parties as they navigate the post-2024 political landscape.
Polls begin closing Tuesday evening in Virginia, where voters will select a new governor — one of several major contests across the country.
The off-year elections mark a significant opportunity for voters in multiple states to express their views and offer early indications about national political trends.
Questions loom over how voters are responding to President Donald Trump’s second term. Republicans aim to solidify their appeal among working-class voters and people of color while keeping Trump’s coalition active in an election cycle without him on the ballot.
Democrats, meanwhile, are attempting to regroup following Trump’s 2024 victory, seeking to reenergize their base while regaining voters who drifted away during the last presidential race.
High-profile gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey will provide early insight into voter mood, while the New York City mayoral race and California’s redistricting measure will gauge Democratic enthusiasm. Several local and statewide contests also address issues that have resonated nationally in recent years.
Below is a closer look at Tuesday’s key races and the political dynamics surrounding them.
Virginia Governor
Former Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger and Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears are competing to become Virginia’s first female governor. Polls close at 7 p.m. ET.
Democrats have centered their message on rising costs and the recent government shutdown, accusing Republicans of failing to stand up to Trump amid layoffs and tariffs. Earle-Sears has focused heavily on education, particularly policies concerning transgender students’ use of bathrooms and locker rooms.
Earle-Sears has tied herself closely to outgoing Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who remains popular but is term-limited. She has also attacked Spanberger for declining to call on Democratic attorney general nominee Jay Jones to resign following the release of violent text messages he sent years earlier.
The attorney general race has drawn attention as well, with incumbent Republican Jason Miyares — endorsed by Trump — portraying Jones as unfit for office.
Voters will also decide on the lieutenant governor’s race and control of the state House, which Democrats narrowly hold. The results could shape redistricting efforts next year, with implications for the fight for Congress in 2026.
New Jersey Governor
In New Jersey, Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill faces Republican Jack Ciattarelli, a former state legislator who lost the 2021 race to Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy by just three points. Polls close at 8 p.m. ET.
Polls show a competitive race, with both campaigns focusing on affordability in a state burdened by high taxes and energy costs. Trump has endorsed Ciattarelli but has not formally supported Earle-Sears in Virginia.
Sherrill has warned that Ciattarelli’s alignment with Trump’s policies could threaten programs such as Medicaid and key infrastructure projects connecting New Jersey and New York City. Ciattarelli has countered that Democratic leadership is responsible for rising prices, arguing that Sherrill represents a continuation of Murphy’s policies.
Control of the state legislature is also on the ballot, though Republicans would need significant gains to reclaim power.
New York City Mayor
State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani is favored to become New York City’s next mayor after winning the June Democratic primary. He faces a challenge from former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, running as a third-party candidate after losing the primary. Polls close at 9 p.m. ET.
Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, has run on a platform centered on affordability, proposing rent freezes, free public transportation, and child care, while reallocating police funding to a new Department of Community Safety focused on mental health and crisis response. Cuomo has positioned himself as a centrist alternative, promising to expand the police force and warning that Mamdani’s proposals are either unrealistic or too costly.
The race has become highly personal, with Mamdani arguing for a break from Cuomo’s scandal-plagued tenure, and Cuomo portraying himself as a bulwark against the Democratic Party’s progressive wing.
Other mayoral races on Tuesday include contests in Minneapolis, Detroit, Boston, New Orleans, Miami, and Charlotte, North Carolina. In Minneapolis, Mayor Jacob Frey faces multiple challengers, including state legislator Omar Fateh, who identifies as a democratic socialist.
California Redistricting Ballot Measure
California voters will decide whether to approve a new congressional map that could add as many as five Democratic seats in next year’s midterms. The proposal, Proposition 50, would enact the new map from 2026 through 2030. A “no” vote would preserve the current map drawn by an independent redistricting commission. Polls close at 8 p.m. local time (11 p.m. ET).
Gov. Gavin Newsom and other Democratic leaders support the measure as a counter to Republican redistricting initiatives in states such as Texas. The GOP holds a narrow three-seat majority in the U.S. House and is working to protect it in 2026.
Democrats have framed their redistricting push as a direct response to Trump’s influence, accusing Republicans of trying to “rig” future elections. Critics argue that the measure undermines the independence of California’s redistricting process, which voters established to reduce partisan influence.
Texas 18th Congressional District Special Election
Texas voters will fill the late Democratic Rep. Sylvester Turner’s seat in the state’s 18th Congressional District, which includes parts of Houston. Polls close at 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. local).
The solidly Democratic district has attracted several prominent Democrats, including state Rep. Jolanda Jones, Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee, and former Houston City Councilmember Amanda Edwards. Journalist and author Carmen Maria Montiel is the leading Republican in the race.
All candidates will appear on a single ballot regardless of party. If no one secures a majority, the top two finishers will advance to a runoff.
The victor’s term will be short-lived; redistricting has eliminated the district ahead of next year’s elections.
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Retention Elections
Three Democratic justices on Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court — Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht — are seeking voter approval to remain on the bench. The trio was elected in 2015, flipping the court from Republican to Democratic control, where it now holds a 5–2 majority. Polls close at 8 p.m. ET.
If Dougherty and Wecht are retained, they will serve 10 more years. Donohue’s term would run until 2027, when she reaches the mandatory retirement age of 75.
If any are not retained, Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro could appoint interim justices, though those appointments would require confirmation by the Republican-led state Senate. Shapiro has urged voters to retain all three.
Other State Ballot Measures
In Maine, voters will consider a new “red flag” law that would allow individuals — not just police — to petition courts to restrict firearm access for people deemed dangerous. Another Maine proposal would tighten absentee voting rules by reducing early voting days, limiting drop boxes, and introducing voter ID requirements. Polls close at 8 p.m. ET.
Texas voters will weigh two constitutional amendments: one defining parents’ fundamental right to make decisions for their children, and another mandating that only U.S. citizens may vote in any Texas election. Polls close at 9 p.m. ET.
Colorado voters will decide whether to fund universal free breakfast and lunch for all public school students. Polls close at 9 p.m. ET (7 p.m. local).
Other Races of Note
Additional contests are drawing attention nationwide. In Minneapolis, Mayor Jacob Frey’s re-election bid faces a strong challenge from Omar Fateh. In New York’s Nassau County, Republican Executive Bruce Blakeman is seeking another term after aligning himself with the MAGA movement.
Detroit and Miami voters will elect new mayors, while Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles seeks re-election amid national attention following the death of a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee.
Two special elections in Minnesota will determine which party controls the state Senate.
Pennsylvania is also home to several closely watched municipal contests in Pittsburgh and suburban Philadelphia, offering early indicators for 2026.
Several well-known figures appear on ballots nationwide. Former New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey is running for Jersey City mayor. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who prosecuted Trump, seeks another term.
In Cincinnati, Mayor Aftab Pureval is expected to win re-election against Republican Cory Bowman, the half-brother of Vice President JD Vance.