Overview
- Polls are open across New York, New Jersey, Virginia, California and Pennsylvania in elections widely viewed as a national barometer under the current administration.
- New York City’s mayoral race leads attention, with progressive Democrat Zohran Mamdani holding a late polling advantage over independent Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa, after record early voting above 735,000.
- President Donald Trump labeled Mamdani a “communist,” threatened to limit federal funds to New York if he wins and urged voters to back Cuomo in the closing hours.
- California voters are deciding Proposition 50, Governor Gavin Newsom’s plan to redraw congressional maps that Democrats say could add up to five seats, as the Justice Department deploys officials to supervise select voting centers in California and New Jersey.
- Governor races in New Jersey (Mikie Sherrill vs. Jack Ciattarelli) and Virginia (Abigail Spanberger vs. Winsome Earle-Sears) are viewed as party-strength indicators ahead of 2026, while Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court contests could affect abortion policy and future election litigation.