Polls Open in NYC Mayoral Race and Key Races Across the U.S.: What to Watch on Election Day
It’s election day in the United States, and though it’s an off-year without a presidential or congressional contest, several high-stakes races are taking place that could provide early indicators of voter sentiment heading into next year’s midterm elections.
Polls have opened in New York, Virginia, and New Jersey, while Californians will head to the polls later today for a rare mid-decade redistricting vote. These elections, though not as high-profile as presidential contests, are crucial for setting the stage for 2022—and beyond.
Here are five key things to watch as results start to come in from the first major electoral day since the 2020 presidential race:
1. New York City Mayoral Race: A Progressive vs. The Old Guard
All eyes will be on the New York City mayoral race, where Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old state assemblyman, is making a bold push to become the youngest mayor of NYC in over a century. Mamdani, a democratic socialist, shocked many when he triumphed over former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary earlier this year. Cuomo, however, has refused to bow out, running as an independent candidate and keeping the race competitive.
The Republican candidate, Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels, has resisted calls to drop out of the race despite efforts to consolidate opposition against Cuomo. For New Yorkers, this election offers a clear choice between a progressive newcomer promising sweeping changes to issues like rent, wages, and public safety, and a member of the political establishment in Cuomo.
If Mamdani wins, he will make history as NYC’s first Muslim mayor. His focus on affordability and social issues could provide a blueprint for future political campaigns nationwide, particularly as Democrats continue to grapple with economic inequality.
The race is close, though. While Mamdani has led in some polls, Cuomo has worked to frame his opponent as inexperienced, particularly on the key issue of crime and public safety. With Trump’s backing of Cuomo, tensions are high in the final days of the campaign.
2. California Redistricting: The Fight for Control
In California, voters are facing a rare opportunity to approve a new redistricting plan that would redraw the state’s U.S. House district maps mid-decade. The state typically relies on a nonpartisan commission to redraw these maps after each census, but with Republicans making significant gains in states like Texas, California’s Democratic leadership is pushing for a redistricting initiative that would give them an advantage going into the 2026 midterms.
Proposition 50 would allow for new congressional district maps to be temporarily used through 2030. While the measure has strong Democratic support, the battle has been a partisan one, with Republicans strongly opposed to the plan. Democrats have outspent their opponents by a significant margin, raising over $158 million for the cause.
Polling suggests that 60% of likely voters support the proposition, but the split is stark along party lines. Ninety-three percent of Democrats back the measure, while 91% of Republicans are against it. If passed, this could reshape the political landscape for the next decade in California.
3. New Jersey Governor’s Race: A Tight Battle
New Jersey is traditionally a blue state, but the race for governor has become unexpectedly competitive. Democrat Mikie Sherrill, a U.S. congresswoman from the 11th district, is facing off against former state assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, a Republican who has been gaining momentum in recent weeks. Despite New Jersey’s historical Democratic lean, the closeness of the contest could offer insight into voter frustration with the national political climate and the performance of Democratic leaders.
Sherrill has campaigned on her progressive record in Congress, emphasizing issues like healthcare reform and economic recovery. Ciattarelli has made the race about fiscal conservatism and often criticized Sherrill’s policy stances.
National political figures have weighed in on the race: Democratic stars like Barack Obama and Pete Buttigieg have stumped for Sherrill, while Donald Trump has endorsed Ciattarelli, with conservative figures like Jack Posobiec also backing him. This high-profile race will be one to watch as a bellwether for how voters feel about both parties heading into 2022.
4. Virginia Governor’s Race: A Historic Choice
Virginia voters will elect their first female governor in a race that is as much about party politics as it is about symbolism. Democrat Abigail Spanberger, a U.S. congresswoman, faces Winsome Earle-Sears, the current lieutenant governor and Republican candidate, in a contest that could reflect the country’s broader political mood ahead of next year’s midterms.
If Earle-Sears wins, she would make history as the first Black woman elected governor in U.S. history. Earle-Sears, who has focused on cultural issues such as transgender rights, has leveraged her position on the state’s economy as a talking point for Republican voters, particularly in rural areas. Spanberger, meanwhile, has emphasized the economic repercussions of the Trump administration’s policies on federal jobs in the state.
Virginia’s unique political landscape, with its liberal Northern Virginia suburbs near Washington D.C. and conservative rural areas, will be a critical bellwether for the 2022 midterm elections.
5. The Trump Factor: Still a Powerful Influence
Though Donald Trump is not on the ballot in any of these races, his influence looms large. In the New York mayor’s race, he has backed Andrew Cuomo, suggesting that he might withhold federal aid from the city if a progressive candidate like Mamdani wins. In California, Trump’s redistricting efforts have set the stage for Proposition 50, while in New Jersey, his support for Ciattarelli has become a flashpoint for the state’s political dynamics.
Even outside of his official role, Trump remains a central figure in the 2021 elections, casting a long shadow over the race and influencing voter sentiment on both sides of the aisle.
Conclusion: Election Day Takes on New Significance
While 2021 may not be a presidential election year, these races are critical for understanding the current political climate and what might unfold in the 2022 midterm elections. From New York City’s mayoral contest to key gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey, to California’s redistricting decision, the results will offer valuable insights into the state of U.S. politics. Whether voters are rallying behind progressive policies or gravitating toward more traditional leadership, election day today will offer a glimpse of the issues and candidates that could define the next election cycle.
