Elections Begin

New York City, Virginia, and New Jersey are holding elections on Tuesday in closely watched races that mark a major test for both political parties.

Context

New York City's mayoral race has attracted national attention due to the candidacy of democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani, while gubernatorial contests in Virginia and New Jersey reflected national concerns about the economy, federal employment, and energy costs. Both VA and NJ historically elect governors from the party opposite the sitting president, though this pattern is not guaranteed.

Record Turnout in NYC

Early voting in NYC produced the highest turnout for a non-presidential election in the city's history. The city's Board of Elections reported over 700,000 early voting check-ins over nine days, more than four times the 2021 mayoral race.