First time voting? Here is the ultimate guide to ballot boxes, critical issues on Election Day
As voters prepare to head to the polls next month, the off-year elections in Virginia, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania are shaping up to be critical indicators of party strength leading into the 2026 elections. In Virginia, the races for governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general are particularly contentious, amplified by the scandal surrounding Democratic attorney general nominee Jay Jones, who faces backlash over text messages that allegedly discussed the murder of a former GOP leader. This drama has heightened voter interest, especially as the state allows same-day voter registration, facilitating greater participation. Early voting in Virginia runs until November 1, with Election Day set for November 4, and the political landscape is charged with debates over high-profile issues like transgender rights in schools and fossil fuel development. Republican candidate Winsome Earle-Sears has been vocal, accusing her opponent Abigail Spanberger of failing to protect Virginia’s children, while also warning voters about the implications of Democratic policies on energy and job security.
New Jersey presents a significant opportunity for Republicans, with former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli gaining traction against incumbent Rep. Mikie Sherrill. Affordability remains a key concern for voters, and Ciattarelli has secured endorsements that cross party lines, including in traditionally Democratic strongholds. Meanwhile, in New York, the political climate is equally heated as far-left Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani competes against former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. Mamdani’s progressive proposals, including free public transit and police reforms, have drawn criticism from both rivals, who accuse him of promoting “communist” policies. Cuomo, despite past controversies, is attempting to position himself as a moderate alternative, leveraging his political experience to regain favor. Early voting in New York runs until November 3, and the outcome in these elections could have lasting implications for the political landscape across the Northeast.
In Pennsylvania, the stakes are particularly high with three Democratic Supreme Court justices facing retention votes, a rare occurrence that could reshape the state’s judiciary if they fail to secure majority support. The justices are under fire from Republican critics for their decisions during the pandemic, which some argue overstepped their boundaries. The retention vote is critical, as losing more than 50% of the vote would require a new election for any justice. The state’s election system, known for its lengthy vote-counting processes, adds another layer of complexity to the upcoming elections. With varying laws and voting methods across these states, including Virginia’s strict voter-ID requirements, the November elections are poised to be a pivotal moment for both parties as they gauge their support and strategize for the future.
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Voters across the country — particularly in Virginia, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania — will head to the polls next month for an off-year election that could offer an early read on both parties’ strength heading into 2026.
Virginia’s races
include the governor
, lieutenant governor and attorney general and have been brought to the fore of national conscience by the murder-text scandal enveloping Democratic attorney general nominee Jay Jones.
Virginia law now permits voters to register to vote on the same day as the election. If someone chooses this route, they will be asked to cast a provisional ballot; meaning a ballot that is later supposed to be vetted against voter roll and other information.
Every county from urban Arlington to far-flung Lee is also required to have at least one secure drop box. Voters can typically find them outside county offices, courthouses or libraries.
FORTNIGHT TO ELECTION DAY: 5 KEY 2025 RACES TO WATCH
Early voting in Virginia runs through Saturday, Nov. 1, ahead of Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Key issues in Virginia’s races include how candidates are aligning on transgender bathroom and school sports debates, with Republican gubernatorial candidate
Winsome Earle-Sears
accusing Democrat Abigail Spanberger of failing to stand up for Virginia’s children.
That topic, as well as
Jones’ texts envisioning the murder
of a former GOP leader, led Earle-Sears to repeatedly interject in what she considered Spanberger’s vague or indirect answers at their sole debate held in Hampton Roads.
Earle-Sears warned voters in
Smyth County
on Thursday that Democrats will continue prior efforts to suppress fossil fuel development – which she said not only affects jobs in the coal-and-gas-rich southwest, but every Virginian’s power bill.
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On the lieutenant governor ballot, businessman and commentator John Reid has ripped Democrat Ghazala Hashmi for refusing to debate him – with Reid creating an AI version of the Chesterfield senator to try to get the public to see the stark differences in their policy proposals.
Jones continues to be embroiled in scandal, as
Attorney General Jason Miyares
focused at their own debate in Richmond on the contrast between a candidate trying to be the state’s top law enforcement officer while carrying a criminal record and a hot temper per the texts, and one who has no such baggage.
The federal government shutdown looms over the race, and is expected to help Democrats who do not blame their congressional leaders but President
Donald Trump
for the unique effects the situation has on workforces there, in Maryland and nominally eastern West Virginia.
In New York, the future of the city’s political system is on the ballot as far-left Assemblyman.
Zohran Mamdani
leads both Democrat-turned-Independent
Andrew Cuomo
and Republican Curtis Sliwa.
NATION’S ONLY TWO 2025 RACES FOR GOVERNOR ROCKED WITH THREE WEEKS UNTIL ELECTION DAY
Cuomo and Sliwa — typically political adversaries — have both accused Mamdani of harboring “communist” policies that would make most city services free and weaken public safety through police reforms.
Sliwa, the outspoken Canarsie Republican who founded the Guardian Angels, has said he is the only one who can ensure New York’s safety and solvency.
But his third-place position led to debates with ideologically aligned colleagues like fellow radio host Sid Rosenberg over his potential spoiler role. Sliwa suggested last week he would never appear on 77WABC again after his colleagues purportedly abandoned him.
Cuomo has positioned himself as the moderate, relying on his trademark Queens wit to fend off attacks from both rivals. Still, his resignation, pandemic-era controversies and cleared sexual misconduct allegations continue to shadow his campaign.
FIVE RACES TO WATCH WITH 5 WEEKS TO GO UNTIL ELECTION DAY 2025
Mamdani, who was born in Uganda, has continued to face criticism for his far-left proposals, including free public transit, rent freezes and closing Rikers Island.
Early voting in New York
runs through Nov. 3.
Across the Hudson, New Jersey is shaping up to be Republicans’ best shot at flipping a blue state – as former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli has made gains on Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J.
Like the other elections, affordability is at the top of the ballot, and Ciattarelli has garnered several aisle-crossing endorsements, including in entrenched blue Hudson County – where Democrats like the imprisoned Robert Menendez Sr. made his name.
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Trump has endorsed candidates in New Jersey, but not the Virginia governor’s race. He has endorsed Miyares for attorney general.
Pennsylvanians face a unique off-year election with three
Democratic Supreme Court justices
up for retention – or a vote to keep them on the bench for another 10 years.
It is exceedingly rare for such elections to see the “No” column win – which would spark a new election for any jurist who loses more than 50% of voters’ confidence.
Justices David Wecht, Christine Donohue and Kevin Dougherty all face immense opposition from the right – particularly for their rulings to keep the state closed under the wishes of then-Gov. Tom Wolf and his administration during the coronavirus pandemic.
The aftermath of Pennsylvania’s shutdown – in which Wolf enacted policies often mirroring those of Cuomo – has somewhat bifurcated who continues to receive criticism.
While Wolf was term-limited, many of his aligned then-colleagues, including then-Attorney General Josh Shapiro and Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, remain at the top levels of government. Shapiro enjoys elevated approval ratings as the incumbent governor, and is touted as a potential 2028 presidential figure – while Republicans have notably directed their ire at the justices for their role.
Counties have the option to use
drop boxes
, while the largest counties, like Philadelphia and Allegheny, must have multiple ones, according to reports.
Pennsylvania’s election system
has been lambasted for its long count times – which often stem from its policy that county-received mail-in ballots cannot be even prepared (or “precanvassed”) for tabulation until 7 a.m. ET on Election Day.
Of all the major states holding elections, only Virginia has a veritable voter-ID law.
Eric
Eric is a seasoned journalist covering US Politics news.
